Tara Murray
A new set of golf clubs is on the wish list for Louise Baliton after being named the Sunshine and Western Region Sports Club Don Deeble Sports Star Award.
Baliton was named the winner for the 2022 award, after being selected from the 10 monthly nominees.
She received $5000 for winning the award. Young Wyndham rugby league star Suliasi Prescott and taekwondo star Jake Buhagiar finished joint runners-up.
AFLW player Charlotte Baskaran, badminton rising star Om Neelam and baseballer Jayden Kim all received encouragement awards.
Baliton said winning the overall award had come as a big shock. She was recognised for her achievements on the golf green.
“It’s very exciting,” she said “I’m shocked honestly.
“It’s just a big opportunity for me and I’m so grateful for all the support that I’ve gotten from friends and family, especially from everyone that is involved from this Don Deeble award.”
Baliton said when she was first nominated it was exciting as it was another opportunity to get her foot in the door and get her name out there.
With several of the other nominees also attending Maribyrnong Sports Academy, Baliton knows how hard they work.
“It is like, it’s such a big opportunity,” she said.
“I didn’t even think golf was such a big sport, like it’s not that big. I know there’s many people that I go to school with [who were nominated], who have worked much harder than me and I’m just so grateful.”
Baliton’s golf career started when she was six and was following her dad around on the practice green at Mt Derrimut Golf Community Club.
She started playing when she was seven-years-old and played her first tournament when she was nine, winning that.
Now playing off a 0.3 handicap, Baliton is hoping to hit scratch and even better than game.
She said that “of course” she’s now a better player than her dad.
“He is as surprised and excited as I am,” she said.
“I think I know he loved the game and he loved the game and it’s something we share and it’s so special for me.”
Baliton said she would look to use the money to go towards playing some more tournaments, while was also keen to get some new clubs.
Heading into year 12, Baliton is planning to focus a bit more on her studies as she aims for a scholarship at an American college, preferably in Florida.
Long term she wants to go pro.
But before then, you’ll likely find Baliton who finished 19th on the Golf Australia’s girls order of merit, on the golf course hitting millions of shots.
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.
