SALAMANDER Bay golfer Lachlan Pearson will live his dream when he tees off at the tenth annual Macau Golf Masters tournament this month.
The talented 16-year-old, who was diagnosed with autism at an early age, is set to pit his skills against top competitors from 21 countries at the world’s biggest golf tournament for people with intellectual disabilities.
Pearson, a 16.9 marker at Nelson Bay Golf Club, will fly the flag for Port Stephens in the Challenge League competition, which embraces golfers from across the disability spectrum.
He is one of three NSW golfers travelling to the south coast region of China to participate in the three day international event at the prestigious Macau Golf and Country Club course.
The Challenge League division caters for golfers with handicaps ranging from 11 to 25 while the world’s best 14 players with handicaps from scratch to 10, will line-up in the World League phase.
Pearson was cock-a-hoop when he learned of his selection in the All Abilities Golf team.
“I can’t believe that I am going to Macau to play at the Masters, this is a dream come true,” he told News Of The Area.
“This is a great opportunity to play against some of the world’s best golfers and improve my game plus experience the different cultures.
“I love my golf and look forward to the trip.”
Pearson will represent Australia when he competes with 24 other golfers in the 18-hole individual stroke play event over two rounds, with the final to be staged on the third day.
It will be a magic milestone for the emerging player in his first-ever overseas tournament, although golfing runs in his family.
Father, Rory, and grandparents Pam and John Townsend, are legends at Nelson Bay Golf Club while mother Clare has supported her gifted son every step of the journey.
Pearson, who attends the Tomaree High School Support Unit, picked up his first golf club at the age of six and remembers tagging along the Nelson Bay course on weekends, watching his dad secure plenty of silverware.
At the age of 13, he began playing competition golf and was soon chalking up a long list of tournament victories on the NSW north coast.
He won back-to-back gold medals at the Golf Nationals at Palm Meadows on the Gold Coast aged 14 and 15 and is chasing a hat trick at this year’s event in October.
He also tasted success at the Golf NSW All Abilities tournament at Coffs Harbour.
The big hitter has developed a strong long game under the coaching of Horizons Golf Club pro Vince Owen in recent years, and has relished the opportunity to “listen and learn.”
With 12 winning medals already in his trophy cabinet, there are more honours beckoning in the Special Olympics cauldron for this exceptional young golfer.
By Chris KARAS
