In the first of a new series called Rising Stars, Alex Perry went to meet 9-year-old Sam McIntyre about his future in the game
It’s been something of a social media craze in recent months for parents to post photos of their rising stars in golf. More often than not it’s a lovely swing, with a modest comment along the lines of “Little Rory’s game coming along nicely.”
It will then invariably be picked up by media outlets around the globe, who will poach the video and add a pithy remark such as “This 6-year-old has a better swing than you.”
This 6 year-old has a better swing than you.
FACT. ?pic.twitter.com/GL4tFEbdxS
— National Club Golfer (@NCGMagazine) December 21, 2018
See?
And they get thousands of retweets, so why wouldn’t you? Look, we can’t stop…
When you've only played golf for 365 days.. What a swing this 1-year-old has! ??
?: mr.bennettsheldon pic.twitter.com/FYcgvcu2px
— National Club Golfer (@NCGMagazine) August 21, 2018
Father-son goals! ??
(?: @GolferIsaac) pic.twitter.com/Q4LVqB0OpC
— National Club Golfer (@NCGMagazine) February 5, 2019
But the thing people like about these posts is that it’s highlighting that our beautiful game is still alive and well among the younger generations – and that just warms your cold heart, doesn’t it?
Rising stars in golf: Sam McIntyre
I thought it would be good to go and meet one of these rising stars in golf to find out what makes them click. Why, particularly with all the allure of football, would you pick up a golf club instead?
So I got in touch with Sam McIntyre – he’s local and his mum works with my friend’s wife – and we met at Oulton Hall in Leeds where I heard Sam’s story from the boy himself and his coach, Thomas Devine. See what Sam has to say in the video at the top of the page.
You can follow Sam’s progress on Twitter and you can find more information on the FUEL junior golf programme on the Thomas Devine Golf Coaching website. If you know someone you think should be featured in Rising Stars, let us know.
Alex Perry
