Young rookie teed up for success

A YOUNG golfer riding high after taking home the gold in the third round of Golf Australia’s Victorian Rookie Series under nine girls competition at Oakleigh Golf Club late last month.

At seven years old, it’s the first comp win for Sebastopol’s Anastasya Macaulay, who first picked up the clubs about two years ago.

Having played nine holes in the third round as well as in the second which took place in Ballarat, Anastasya said taking on the sport has been a family-bonding experience for her.

“When I was very young, my dad used to take me out to the golf course with him. I got into golf because I wanted him to do that again,” she said.

“I enjoy spending time with my dad the most about golf. He’s been very supportive.

“It feels very good to win the medal. It was exciting to play in the competition.”

Anastasya started playing golf in May, 2021 and was encouraged by her father Stuart with the latter saying she “brought him back to golf” after about a decade away from the sport.

Since early 2022, Anastasya has taken lessons. First at Midlands Golf Club before earning a scholarship through Ballarat Golf Club’s Junior Golf Academy.

Her win makes her eligible to compete in the Victorian Rookie Series under nine state final, with three more regular rounds to take place at Edithvale, Tocumwal, and Glenroy.

With his daughter playing with a handicap of 48 to 24 in the Victorian Rookie Series, Mr Macaulay said round three was a step up for her.

“It was totally a different event over there, and the girls are really good in Melbourne, but she was able to win the net competition with her handicap,” he said.

“As a parent, the biggest thing that moved me was to see her face once she received her medal. She was just over the moon.

“It moves me greatly to see her smile and her progression. She’s very enthusiastic about her golf and she’s improved so much.”

The father-daughter pair will spend the next six months preparing for the state finals, with plans to potentially sign Ms Macaulay up to compete in the Australian Junior under 10 Championship.