Young Ontario golfer shows us the way
Reigning Augusta National Drive, Chip and Putt champ tees it up with our columnist
The ball travelled about 200 yards with a gentle draw, but my diminutive golf companion didn't look thrilled.
“I like to play a little fade or hit them straight,” 10-year-old Alexis Card told me on the driving range during a recent trip to TPC Toronto.
That warm-up shot down the middle with a seven-yard draw would be the worst drive of the day for the Augusta National Drive, Chip and Putt champion from Cambridge, Ont.
True to her word, the other 30 or so drives during warm-up and on the course either went straight or tumbled softly to the right. Tall for her age — but small for a golfer — Alexis has an athletic, repeatable swing; a smooth yet powerful motion that would make kids want to take up the sport and their dads want to quit it. I should know because I brought along my seven- and 10-year-old daughters to watch Alexis warm up on the range before the round got underway.
Our small group for the day was gathered at the ever-growing golf hub in Caledon, Ont., at the invitation of Golf Canada chief executive Laurence Applebaum. The sport's governing body in Canada wanted a chance to properly celebrate Alexis' 2021 win at Augusta National in the 7-to-9-year-old division of the Drive, Chip and Putt competition that has become a highlight prior to the Masters in April.
“Normally, we have a group down at the Masters and at the Drive, Chip and Putt competition, but because of the pandemic, we weren't able to go this year,” Applebaum said. “So we wanted this opportunity to give Alexis and her family a big hug from Golf Canada to celebrate her win.”
Once out on TPC Toronto's Heathlands Course, Alexis displayed all the skills that earned her the win at Augusta. As amazing as 200-yard drives are coming off a 10-year-old's club, her chips and putts also stood out as she accelerated through every ball with the unbridled confidence of a golfer who has never felt the nervous worry of a bladed wedge or lived in fear of turning a birdie putt into a bogey putt with an overzealous stroke.
Watching Alexis play, it was easy to forget she's just 10 years old, especially as the cheery grade-schooler made casual conversation in a foursome with this middle-aged golf writer, the chief executive of Golf Canada, and Golf Canada president Liz Hoffman.
As the wind picked up, Hoffman — a one-time Ontario junior and Quebec women's amateur champ — gave a quick lesson in hitting a knock-down iron shot, which Alexis instantly pulled off before offering a suggestion as to why she might be quicker to pick up lessons than her older brother Brayden.
“I listen,” she said.
Luckily, Brayden, a fine player himself, was out of earshot in the group ahead with dad Aaron.
Aside from being chased off the golf course by rain, wind, lightning and, finally, hail, it was obvious over a lively meal on the patio with TPC Toronto president Chris Humeniuk that the day was a great success.
Growing the game and nurturing young talent are big parts of Golf Canada's mission, and in the golf world there are always ongoing discussions about the best way to accomplish these goals. Many of them will be big ideas and complicated initiatives, but others can be as simple as a day of golf with people who love the game and want to share their experiences with others.
Alexis' father Aaron thanked our hosts and explained how appreciative and slightly overwhelming the day had been for his family.
“Winning opens doors,” fellow dinner companion Judith Kyrinis said.
And she would know. Ontario's Kyrinis recently appeared in the U.S. senior women's open, after earning a spot by winning the
U.S. senior women's amateur in 2017. Kyrinis is also fresh off a 14-stroke win at the Ontario senior women's amateur.
As important as it is to find fun and non-intimidating ways for new players to get into golf, the game is still about competition; and on this day, a talented young player was able to enjoy the spoils of victory and hear from women who have been there before.
It's no surprise that Alexis' favourite golfer is Brooke Henderson of Smiths Falls, Ont., who just finished competing in Japan at her second Olympic Games, something most golf fans are still getting used to.
Not Alexis, though. From the very first day she picked up a club five years ago, representing her country in the chase for a gold medal was a legitimate dream, as was playing golf at Augusta National. In her experience, the famous site of the Masters isn't a place that tries to keep you out, but rather one that opens its doors if you have the talent.
For adults at the table, it all sounds hard to believe; for a 10-year-old, it's all she has ever known.
That's how change happens. jmccarthy@postmedia.com