Well done to Julian Fowler! The 14-year-old Northland golfer has returned home from the World Junior Golf Championship in San Diego buzzing from the experience of playing alongside the best junior golfers in the world. He earned his place to compete in the Worlds by winning the Junior Tiger National Final at the Manawatu Golf Club in April. Julian won the 12-14 Boys Division on the second time coming down the 18th in the playoff. He holed a 5m birdie putt and delivered a fist pump that the World No 1 would have been proud of. “I felt like I was Tiger Woods,” said Julian. “It was pretty close and I couldn’t believe it when the result came through." Representing New Zealand at the Worlds was an amazing experience for the teen. He carded rounds of 73, 77 and 78 at the Morgan Run Resort and Club to finish tied 102nd on his international debut. Now he has tasted competition on the international stage he wants more, saying. “The Worlds was definitely a huge learning curve for me as it was an eye opening experience. It gave me a clearer understanding of where my golf is and what areas need to be improved. “The unique experience wasn’t just a learning curve but also a confidence booster and something which has definitely motivated me to improve a wider range of my golfing game such as physical, technique, mental game and the quality of my practice.” He believed the experience would be life-changing as he eyes a golf career at the elite level. “This incredible trip has given me the drive to return in future years to compete in the 15 –17 division in the World Juniors where once again my goal will be to win.” The Junior Tiger concept, which has been a great success since it was introduced in 2009, is geared to get more kids playing golf at both a competitive and participant level in New Zealand. It is considered as a vital tool in the junior player pathway at New Zealand Golf to develop more competitive amateur golfers. There have been a number of success stories throughout the series with the most obvious example Lydia Ko. Four years ago Ko won the 12 -14 age division of the Junior Tiger Final as a 12-year-old and she is now the World No 1 amateur and one of the most exciting young players in the game.
Posted on: Mon, 05 Aug 2013 22:54:26 +0000
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