YOUNG golfer Kane Leonard, 11, won gold at the Special Olympics held in Adelaide from April 16 to 20.
Kane, from of Macleay Island, gets professional coaching at Jimboomba’s Hills College golf academy and will attend its golf camp for juniors in September.
Kane scored more than three 18-hole rounds to win the medal as well as nett and gross best scores for the tournament.
His win qualifies him to compete at the World Games in Dubai next year but he is not old enough to compete.
Bay Island golf club pennants manager Jeff Ridge said club members were proud of Kane’s achievement after raising $3,400 to send him to the competition and supporting Kane’s professional training at Hills College.
“With his keen eye and great natural swing there is no doubt he will be a low handicap golfer in the very near future,” Mr Ridge said.
Playing off a handicap of 14, Kane won honour board events at the Bay Islands club including Medal of Medals (twice), B Grade Matchplay championship and Open Match Play championship. He is also a member of the Division 2 pennants team.
Mr Ridge said Kane was one of three up and coming club juniors. His elder brother Jake, 17, plays off a handicap of two. Jack Burnitt, 12, is another high achiever.
Mr Ridge said he and Terry Fry coached juniors and adults for free, but these three had surpassed them.
“They play with lower handicaps and are better golfers than me,” Mr Ridge said.
Mr Ridge said the club raised funds to support its juniors, sending the boys to Hills golfing academy for professional coaching once a year.
