American dream
Connor heads to Pinehurst
Connor Graham is sharpening up ahead of his trip to America Connor Graham is jetting across the Atlantic next week to compete in the US Kids World Championships.
The Blairgowrie member will tee up alongside some of the globe’s best young players at former Ryder Cup venue Pinehurst in North Carolina.
More than 1500 players from over 50 countries will descend on the course for an event set up for talented kids aged 12 and under.
Connor (11) will make the trip stateside with dad Stuart, who was last in America to watch Bradley Neil play in the US Masters.
Stuart said: “Last year Connor won the British Wee Wonders Championships at St Andrews.
“There’s hundreds, if not thousands, of kids trying to qualify for the different age groups throughout England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland.
“Everyone meets in September and plays the Strathtyrum course. Connor went on to win his age group with a 10-footer on the last.
“On the back of winning the British Championships he got an invitation from the US Kids World Championships.
“It’s the biggest tournament for children around the world. I think there are 1500 or 1600 kids playing at Pinehurst.
“The course is a former Ryder Cup one and the US Open will be held there in a few years.
“Connor has been talking about it and it’s the main thing he is looking forward to. It’s one of his so-called mini majors.”
This will not be Connor’s first overseas trip with the golf clubs. He has played in competitions in Australia and Portugal.
“Connor has been across to Australia and played in the Greg Norman Junior Masters,” Stuart said.
“And he’s also played in the Oceanico World Championships in Portugal four years ago when he was seven.
“He won the handicap version of that so has a bit of experience golfing abroad but this is certainly the first time going to America for him.
“It’s only my second time to America. The other time was watching Bradley Neil at the Masters. It should be a good trip.
“We fly on the Monday and he’ll get a practice round on Tuesday and Wednesday. The tournament runs Thursday, Friday and Saturday.”
Connor’s early season form has been encouraging, finishing third in his age category at the European Championships in May.
“Connor’s had a good start to the year,” Stuart said. “He started the year with a handicap of 12 and he’s come down to 5.6.
“That has allowed him to play a few of the bigger tournaments.
“He’s still only 11 but has just competed in the under-16 Scottish Boys Championships, where he did quite well for his age.
“He also recently played in the European Championships. There were 70 in his age group and he came third overall.
“There is the British Wee Wonders to defend later this year but for now we’re looking forward to America and he’s excited about going over.”
The US Kids World Championships runs from August 2 to 4.