HE’S barely had time to work on his short game, but Bacchus Marsh golfer Jack Crawford is emerging as one of the state’s best junior prospects after making the Victorian team.
A keen under-12 footballer with the Bacchus Marsh Cobras, Jack has rarely been able to hit golf balls more than twice a month. But after shooting 73 and finishing sixth among 120 primary school children at a major tournament at Altona’s Kooringal golf course, the 11-year-old will contest the School Sport Australia championship in Bankstown, Sydney, in November.
“I was a little nervous before the first tee shot but got comfortable as the round progressed,” Jack says.
“My favourite shot of the round was probably when I made an eagle on the seventh hole. I hit a six iron to around 10 foot and sank the putt.”
Jack began playing the game a little over a year ago.
“My dad and older brother play and they got me into it,” he says. “I would like to have a career in golf, either playing or teaching.”
Jack’s father Michael says his son has taken to the sport like a duck to water. “Golf is only a part-time thing for Jack. He’s not real fanatical about it, but he’s a bit of a natural.”
The grade 5 St Bernards Primary School pupil also represented his school in last month’s Victorian primary schools golf championships, after winning the qualifying round at Melton. He has also been chosen to attend a talent identification camp at Rosanna Golf Club next month where he will receive expert tutelage from Victorian Institute of Sport coaches.
