Broome Manor starlet Lewy Hayward has qualified to play at the “Home of Golf” St Andrews in the Wee Wonders Championship.
The nine-year-old, who is a product of the Swindon Premier Golf Academy at Broome Manor, qualified for the Wee Wonders showpiece after winning his qualifying round by two clear shots.
Hayward topped the nine to 10 years section after carding a gross score of 31 at Redbourn Golf Club’s nine-hole course and will now face some of the country’s elite golfing youngsters in the grand finale.
The Swindon youngster has been playing golf since he was four years old and already holds a handicap of 17. He is also part of the Wiltshire Performance Under 14 squad.
His father and coach, Lee Hayward said: “Myself and my wife Laura are ecstatic and super proud of the little man for the way he played on Sunday.
“He was focused, he picked himself up when things went wrong and truly deserves his place in the final through playing some great golf.
“He is so happy and excited about visiting the ‘Home of Golf’ and has even managed to get his grandparents to make the trip and support him too.
“It’s great for me personally as his dad and his coach to see him make the final, as I just can’t keep him away from the course.
“He absolutely loves being a part of Broome Manor Golf Club as did I when I played my junior golf. We cannot wait to visit the Home Of Golf and support Lewy on his amazing achievement.
Hayward’s fellow SP Golf Academy players Harry Dearly and Macklin Hawkins just missed out on a place at the Wee Wonders Final.
Dearsley, aged 10, shot a solid round of 34 and was just three shots away from qualification while Macklin, aged eight, missed out in the seven-eight year-old group by a whisker, losing on countback.
Hayward added: “All three players are part of the SP Golf Academy Elite Programme and really showed their talents around the tricky nine-hole course.
“As their coach I am really proud of the way they played and these players are certainly ones to watch in the future and who knows Broome Manor may be producing a few more David Howells.”
