Pee wee golfer in full swing

“GOLF is the best sport in the world,” according to runner-up in the international Pee Wee Golf Swing competition, four-year-old Abigail Thambiran from the Bluff.

Abigail started playing golf at the age of two.

“From a young age we noticed she had good hand-eye co-ordination and showed an interest in golf, so we took her down to the local golf course. She immediately fell in love and has been playing ever since,” said her father, Sean Thambiran.

No-one else in the family played the sport at the time, but they have since taken it up.

“My daddy was a cricket player,” laughed Abigail as she readied herself for her Saturday morning training at Bluff National Park Golf Club.

In November, Abigail competed in the Pee Wee Golf Swing competiion in Detroit, USA, taking on competitors from 217 countries. She was up against stiff competition from boys and girls in the three to four-year-old age group.

And then the long wait began to hear the results, which were only announced on Friday, 27 January at the PGA merchandise show.

“I was happy and excited to hear she had placed second in her age group. She is a hard worker and dedicated. She practises hard and hits about 250 balls per week,” said Sean.

Running around, laughing and shouting about how much she loves golf, it was difficult to get Abigail to stop and say just what it is about the sport that she adores. Eventually, she stopped and said, “I love swinging the clubs.”

Coach, Lionel Wearne, couldn’t help but smile as he spoke about Abigail’s devotion and skill. He began working with her in mid-October and has been coaching for about 11 years.

“She works hard and has so much passion for the game. Her parents are committed too, which makes a difference. I coach her for two hours every Saturday, but her dad brings her down during the week to continue with what I have taught her,” said Lionel.

As for her talent, Lionel called it wonderful and unexpected. “She is way ahead of her age group and has a good head on her shoulders.”

This talent and determination could readily be seen as she took aim and sent the ball flying during her practise session, followed by shouts of “I want more.”

The Pee Wee Golf Swing competition was the first she has entered and the family are overjoyed with her success, but they ensure she stays grounded and balanced through their faith.

When not playing gold, Abigail enjoys drawing, painting, cutting and reading.

The focus now, according to Sean, is the U7 world championships. “We hope she will be able to compete at this level. With the support she has received from so many people, it is only a matter of time. Thank you to her coach, Lionel, club captain Monay Pretorius, the Pro-Shop’s Angus Wolf, the office’s Esme Magnussen and everyone else at the club who has been so instrumental in her development,” said Sean.

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