Mitch Andrews was two years old when he picked up his first golf club, and now at age seven, he's coming into his stride.
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Mitch is by far the youngest player taking part in Gloucester Golf Club's Saturday event but he's long from the lowest ranking, taking out the top spot in C grade numerous times in the 2020 season.
As a toddler, he started hitting the ball around with his father Jamie and last year he started to take part in the golf club's competition.
According to Jamie, when Mitch first wanted to take part in the men's competition it involved a bit of tweaking of the club's rules. It stated that players had to be 12 years old and over but the club worked to make some adjustments and welcomed him with open arms.
"Club captain Roy Crichton has been really supportive and the club has gotten behind him. They've been really good," Jamie explained.
Most Saturdays he plays in a foursome with his dad, Kyran Laurie and Ryan Yates.
"Kyran has his own young boys and is very supportive of Mitch, while Ryan acts like a seven year old, so they get on well," Jamie laughed.
But there was no issue with Mitch keeping up the pace. In fact, he quickly moved from a 45 handicap and a 38.
"He fairly regularly beats off the stick some of the men's players," Jamie said.
Mitch is not just making a name for himself in Gloucester, he's also taken out a couple of top prizes in other competition.
On Sunday November 29, Mitch won the sub-junior title at the Lower North Coast Junior Championship held at Tallwoods Country Club.
"We've been trying to ease him into it. He's been to four (competitions) and has won two of them," Jamie said. "Howard Burrows has been really encouraging the younger players in the region and had been organising the events."
Being smaller than the average size golfer, Mitch needs a special set of clubs. It's basically a small set cut down to his size, although he doesn't use the whole bag, sticking to four irons, a driver, a three wood and a putter.
Why does Mitch like playing golf?
"So you can win," Mitch smiled. "I get to see how far I can hit the ball."
Mitch also likes to watch golf with his dad.