Lloyd’s a big hit after leaving football behind
LLOYD Walters is a name to remember in sporting – and particularly, golf circles.
While Wales Seniors have been competing in their internationals this week, one of the next generation of golf stars was further enhancing his reputation.
Lloyd, 17, has only been playing golf for three years but has enjoyed plenty of progress over that time with more potential still to fulfil.
The Rhondda teenager started off in the world of football, playing for Cardiff City’s development squad and academy team while he also had a trial at Newport County.
But after losing interest in the sport, a meet-up with his mates changed his focus.
“I knocked football on the head because I wasn’t enjoying it anymore,” said Walters.
“I went up the driving range with my mates, picked up a golf club and the pro at Rhondda Golf Club driving range said ‘you best start playing golf, you’ve got talent’.
“And that’s the best advice I have ever had.
“I went back home and asked my dad if I could have a set of clubs.
“So he went out, bought me a second-hand set and the following week I went up to Rhondda Golf Club and shot 137 but then after that round I was determined to practice, practice and practice until I got better.
“And three years down the line, I won the Men’s Club Championship at Rhondda. It’s been a good journey.”
Walters’ triumph is one of many he has picked up in recent years along with the South Wales Boys Spring Medal and last year’s Glamorgan County U16 Order of Merit while his
best score at Rhondda is now an impressive 64. Over the weekend he picked up the Banfill Medal at Radyr while also coming out on top at the club’s Junior Club Championship and that winning feeling has only made him more ambitious.
“The Order of Merit is over 10 competitions and out of 80 boys I finished top of the table so I have got a couple of wins under my belt,” he continued.
“And because I finished top, a lot of the boys recognise me now.
“It does give me a lot of confidence.
“I’ve had quite a quiet year but my handicap has dropped so that’s basically the main thing.
“And with the next year coming up, that’s my goal to try and get a couple more wins under my belt.
“This year was my first year of playing in the actual Welsh events so next year I know what to expect and I’ll be playing in the Scottish Boys and Irish Boys and all of them.
“I’ll be travelling around next year. What I’m trying to do now is get my handicap down until I’m 18. It has come down from 36 three years ago to three now.
“At the end of this year I should be off a two handicap and hopefully at the end of next year I’d like to be off scratch.”
Despite only switching to golf after going to the driving range with his friends, Walters cannot see a future away from the sport.
“I personally think it’s a career path. I work in golf so I am in the golf environment anyway, I’m working with a couple of PGA pros,” he said.
“I want to travel the world, make myself money and turn pro.
“Within three or four years’ time, hopefully I’ll be a pro. That is my ambition.
“Hopefully next year I would like to represent Wales in the Boys Home [Internationals], I just have to put the effort in over the winter and do well at the start of next season.”