Youngest swinger in town on course to be golfing superstar
Saturday September 04 2010
MEET the small boy with the very big swing who has teed off with the best in the world.
Golf prodigy Odhran Maguire (9) has became the youngest Irish child ever to win the Wee Wonders Great Britain/Ireland competition.
Held at St Andrew's in Scotland last weekend, it is the largest and most prestigious golf event in the world for players aged 12 and under, attracting more than 1,200 participants from 30 countries around the world.
But he is not the only golfing star in his family, with twin sisters Lisa and Leona (15) also winning scores of titles and setting new Irish records.
Dad Declan, from Ballyhugh in Cavan, said that turning professional was a "long way away" and for the moment Odhran was just enjoying the sport. However, Odhran won the prestigious children's tournament by seven shots, putting him significantly ahead of his closest rivals.
Declan admitted that he played very little golf before their three children took it up.
"It's not easy with the three of them doing it now but the girls get good support from the Irish Ladies Golf Union," he said.
Yesterday, Odhran was presented with a new putter from teachers at his national school. And he said that he hoped to "bring the green jacket of the Masters back to his school some day".
- Edel Kennedy
Irish Independent
