Bright future for young golfer

BALLINA golfer Mex Hallo is eyeing the state championships next month after being crowned the North Coast Primary School Sports Association (PSSA) Golf Champion.

The Southern Cross Public School 5th grade student has developed a passion for the sport since beginning at the age of nine.

“I started playing when Dad took me to the driving range two years ago,” Mex said.

“Then I had some lessons and started playing with Dad after that.”

“I love the feeling of hitting a good shot and trying to shoot my best score. I felt very proud of myself at winning the championship and happy to make my family and school proud,” he said.

Father Max Hallo said he and his wife Kate were incredibly proud of Mex.

“I love watching him enjoy the game so much and competing so well in his junior events,” Mr Hallo said.

“I am a golfer and am thrilled that we spend so much time together playing every weekend and the countless hours helping him practice.

“Mex does have challenges with autism and ADHD, and we decided early on in his life that we would focus on his talents and do whatever we could to help him excel.

“We discovered early that he was a good athlete after a lot of success with his running, then 12 months ago, he became very focused on golf.

“Hyper focus can be a wonderful thing in helping someone achieve their goals.

“Maturing later than others is very common with neurodiverse children, so excelling at golf has been wonderful for developing his self-confidence.”

Mr Hallo believes Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and ADHD is not a barrier to success in sports.

“He has a unique talent, and we love watching him explore how good he can be,” he said.

“We have never seen his diagnosis as anything other than part of the challenges that life throws at all of us.

“Being different is something to be celebrated in our view.”

Mex is busy preparing for the state championships, which will be held September 17-19. As an underage player, he will also be eligible for 2025.

“I practice every day at the range, playing a few holes or working on my putting and chipping,” he said.

“I am very excited to play in the state championship and do my best like my favourite player, Cameron Smith.”