Super Jai taking his game to the next level
STOCKPORTBASED junior golfer Jai Higgins, aged 12, has enjoyed an excellent season as he looks to take his golf to a new level.
Jai began his golf at Heaton Moor GC and this season moved to Reddish Vale.
Jai outlined his progress, success, and ambitions in golf: “I joined Reddish Vale Golf Club at the start of the season, wanted to develop my golf game at a challenging course, and became part of their junior team led by Cheshire Boys star Daniel Myers.
“I played in the Junior Derbyshire & Cheshire Golf league, playing at Reddish Vale, Davenport, Knutsford, and Hazel Grove, and we won the best gross shield, a first for Reddish.
“I competed in the Junior Styal Par 3 Order of Merit competitions, played over eight games, and won two trophies for achieving second place in both gross and nett order of merit, as well as playing in the Styal Invitational Junior Ryder Cup 2021, which as a team, we won. I played in the annual Joanne Morley Junior Challenge at Sale Golf club, where I was the fourth boy.
“I was happy with the position, as I didn’t have the best start but knew I had to dig deep to turn it around.
“My aim this year was to work on reducing my handicap and managed to get it down from 19.6 to 11.3. I am delighted to have been invited to join the Cheshire Boys Under 14’s squad.
“I would like to give thanks to my parents and older brother Nayan, for their never-ending support, especially to my Dad, for his guidance, dedication and always taking me to golf. My Dad is a great mentor, friend and playing partner. It is fantastic being able to play with my Dad and Nayan; great competition and fun, with lots of fantastic memories that I will always hold onto. I am looking forward to many more years of playing golf with my family.
“We also managed to get my Mum to join our home golf club, the next step being to help Mum gain her handicap next year. I would also like to thank Graham McCormack for inviting me to join the Cheshire Boys Under 14’s squad, and to Kenny Berry for introducing us.”
Jai’s mum, Rina added: “Jai will be 13 in December. He started playing golf just under three years ago and got his first handicap of 47, two and a half years ago.
“Jai is home educated, he loves maths, and he is working towards his GCSE’s, aiming to complete them an academic year early and continue with education, potentially aiming at progressing with golf at university level.
“Despite winter weather not being amazing, he is trying to get out and play as much as possible with his Dad and Nayan.
“Playing in winter has its own challenges but is also a great learning experience. Being home educated means we are able to juggle his timetable around and play during the week, making the most of what daylight is available.
“Over the winter, Jai’s aim is to improve his handicap or as a minimum, maintain it. His plans are also to keep practising, whether it be on a putting mat, net in the garden or out on the course, but at the very least, keep swinging.
“His ambitions for 2022 are to continue working on reducing his handicap, aiming to be comfortably in single figures, and play more competitions at some great courses. He is looking forward to playing alongside the Cheshire Boys team, and hopefully progress and develop further.
“Looking ahead, Jai would love to move up the ranks within golf, ideally competitively and elevate his knowledge of golf.”