Peter Howe
Young golfer Georgia Schwartz is renowned for always having a smile on her face, a strong zest for practice and a mantra for simply getting better every day.
With a handicap of +1, which in itself is remarkable for a young person of her age, the 13-year-old displays a maturity well beyond her years.
“I always want to get better, but I am wanting to win as well,” laughs Schwartz as she reflects on her achievements in golf in such a short time.
“I tried swimming and tennis for a while, but I got bored with them pretty quickly.
“I didn’t feel they suited me, I need to be challenged.
“I went to the driving range with dad and really liked the challenge of hitting the ball.
“I then took some group lessons at Keilor and when I got good enough, I entered some competitions at Medway Golf Club, where dad and pa played.”
Schwartz, who is the April Don Deeble sports award nominee, took her golf to the next level post COVID and says there isn’t a day that goes by when she doesn’t practice.
In 2022, Schwartz competed in the 12 and under School Sport Australia Championships in the team Victoria golf team, winning by six shots.
In 2023, her first year in secondary school at Maribyrnong Sports Academy, Schwartz went from strength to strength.
Attending gym strength and conditioning sessions every morning before school that included Pilates, low bearing body weight conditioning to prepare her for when she’s older.
She has match play simulation at Medway Golf Club on Mondays and Wednesdays after school. “My coach, Richard Cooney, is incredibly supportive,” she said. “He is also the high-performance coach for Tasmania.
“The strength of my game is my consistency. My irons are very good, as is my short game.”
Schwartz does believe her swing could be better.
Schwartz finished second at the 2023 12 and under National Golf Championships in Perth and her Victorian team finished third overall.
“It was my first interstate experience; I was very nervous but as soon as I got onto the course my nerves settled,” she said.
From there she went on to win the Medway Golf Club’s women’s open golf championship at and the junior girls’ cross.
She recently won the Bendigo Junior Open and was second at the Royal Melbourne Junior Open as well as the Portarlington Junior Open,
She plays as the number one in the Medway junior and senior women’s pennant for
And a highlight for Schwartz was playing in the Sandbelt Invitational Professional Golf event in December.
Two weeks ago, Schwartz was presented with a “Sporting Blue” for golf at the Victorian School Sports Awards in recognition of her outstanding performances at state and national level in 2023.
Schwartz has been recently added to the Golf Australia high performance program where she will attend the Golf Australia High Performance Centre for intensive coaching.
Schwartz has two golfing heroes, Cassie Porter and Cameron Smith.
So, what does the future hold for Schwartz?
“I’d love to go to college in America and of course turn professional,” a pause, and she adds, “but that’s a long way off,” she said.
The Don Deeble Sports Star Award is sponsored by the Yarraville Club Cricket Club, Strathmore Community Bank, the Deer Park Club, Ascot Vale Sports and Trophies and the Star Weekly Newspapers.
If you would like to nominate a monthly winner or attend a dinner, contact swrsportsclub@gmail.com or 0408 556 631.
