NEVER TOO YOUNG TO HIT THE LINKS

Just 11, Delaney Watson has been golfing competively for more than three years, taking to the links early

AT JUST 11 YEARS old, Delaney Watson is an old pro on the links.

Fresh from a golf tournament at Bathurst Glen Golf Course in Richmond Hill on July 8, Watson was already back on the putting and chipping greens at Rebel Creek Golf Course in Petersburg this week.

She took home a secondplace finish, shooting an impressive 83.

“I was really happy,” she said from her St. Jacobs home, adding that she overcame some difficult shots to finish near the top. “There was a par 3 that was maybe a 40-foot putt. I was putting for par and I made that one.”

The young golfer has been playing in tournaments for three years, but has been playing the game for much longer than that, and she isn’t showing any signs of stopping soon. Watson is playing in yet another tournament.

“I am practicing every night this week for a tournament that I am going to be in on Thursday (today),” she said, adding that her drives are going to be her focus on the course. “A lot of drives have been going to the right. I have been blocking out my swing. So I will be working a lot on that. My goal for the tournament is to break 80, maybe 85.”

The tournament is hosted by the Canadian Junior Golf Association at the Turnberry Golf Club in Burlington. It is part of the ClubLink Linkster Series.

“I am hoping for first place this time,” she said.

She has a bit of advice for kids her age, and even

younger, who want to give golfing a try.

“It is a great game. It is just an amazing game. If you are worried that you are going to blow it, you might as well try it. At that point, you have nothing to lose.”

One of her favourite things about playing a round of golf is getting outside. That, and spending more time with her family.

“They are always out there supporting me. They are in the stands. Also, one of my favourite parts is being outside and getting to be in the fresh air,” she said.

To follow Watson’s progress at the Turnberry Golf Club tournament, visit www.cjga.com.

[LIZ BEVAN / THE OBSERVER] Delaney Watson, 11, is getting ready to hit the links Thursday morning at Turnberry Golf Club in Burlington, just one of the many golf tournaments she will be playing in this summer.

[LIZ BEVAN / THE OBSERVER] Delaney Watson practices her chipping at Rebel Creek Golf Club in Petersburg on Monday afternoon.