A junior golfer had two big reasons to celebrate last weekend after recording her best score and clinching her first senior tournament.
Lauren Goddard, 13, had a golden day out on the fairways, claiming the ladies division of the Sunshine Golf Club championship from women more than four times her age, carding a personal best 78 on the final 18 of the three-weekend competition.
Lauren, who also took out the junior title of the event, opened with an 85 in windy conditions, before shooting an 83 and 78 over the final two days of play.
“I was pretty happy with myself, and my parents were proud,” she said.
The Maribyrnong Sports Academy student also recently made Golf Victoria’s junior development squad and was awarded a Metropolitan Golf Club scholarship.
Lauren first got a taste for golf five years ago when she followed her father down to Sunshine Golf Club’s driving range to give the game a go.
“I had a go, and ever since then, I’ve been right into it,” she said.
Lauren, who has a handicap of six, says she can feel her strength building with every round.
“My long game at the moment [is going well], I’m hitting further and further every time,” she says. “I’d like to go professional, get my handicap down to zero.”
She’s currently under the tutelage of 2008-09 Victorian PGA coach of the year Stuart Leong.
“He’s really helped with all the technical work he’s given me about my swing,” she said.
His tips have paid off so far, with Lauren winning several junior tournaments in Portarlington last year.
