Page 12 - HOH

a7
local Wednesday 2 november 2022

Ayrton Schenker:

An 8 year old golfer dreaming of US Kids Golf

ORANJESTAD – “My dad the same connection, and cated to making golf easier
encouraged me and I decided to sign him back to learn so that it can be en-
found the sport fun.” Those up for golf. Neomar says joyed by children. They rec-
are the first words that Ayr- that he was happy. “Ac- ognize the need of imple-
ton Schenker said during a tually when I was in Cura- menting training programs
special interview with our çao I was living by myself, for youth competitions.
reporter in which he was and as a distraction I be- They also organize more
asked to speak about what gan with golf. When Ayr- than 1,600 events through-
he loves the most, golf and ton would come stay with out the year, thus becom-
soccer. me we would go in nature, ing the biggest organizers
and that’s where the con- of golf tournaments in the
During his first interview with nection came from and he world.
the press, Ayrton showed picked that up. Now I dare
he is a nice third grader say that he plays better This organization makes
at Mon Plaisir School, who golf than me”, he said. sure that children between
began finding his passion the ages of 4 and 12 years
for sport from a very young Ayrton’s father points out old can receive the op-
age. that golf has importance portunity in different states
His father, Neomar told us for a person during their where competitions are
that four to five years ago, whole life, “where you chal- being held. “But before you
he was living in a hotel in lenge yourself and have can reach US Kids Golf you
Curaçao where he was discipline.” This is why when need to go through certain
on a special assignment. Ayrton showed interest in qualification, before you
There he was taking golf playing golf, his father be- can get there”, Neomar
lessons recreationally, and gan dedicating all his time said.
when Ayrton would come to it, so that his son would
stay with him they would grow in this sport. They began making con-
play golf together. This is tact with the organization
how golf became Ayrton’s Currently Ayrton is training in order for Ayrton to reach cal player, in order to travel vorite subject is math,
favorite sport. “There we in Tierra del Sol with coach this goal. Neomar says that around the world doing which he uses a lot and ap-
began realizing that he James Kiley (golf profes- they want to go to Medel- what he loves the most – plies for golf.
has love for the sport, and sional instructor at Tierra del lin, Colombia so that Ayr- playing soccer or golf ac-
he began showing interest Sol) in order to achieve his ton can play and qualify companied by his father, To finalize, Neomar’s mes-
since he was three years dream of going to the Unit- in six rounds, increasing his who is also his number one sage to other parents is
old”, Neomar mentioned. ed States with US Kids Golf score so that he can go to supporter, always standing this: “Let children go in that
Foundation. Ayrton says his the United States “so they behind him. which they enjoy.” Ayrton
He also said that he signed idol is Tiger Woods. can see how Ayrton is do- finished his interview saying
Ayrton up for baseball as ing and he can obtain his All this without leaving “never give up and always
well, but there he realized US Kids Golf was created in official handicap.” school aside. Ayrton’s fa- go after your dreams.”q
that his son didn’t have the year 2000 and is dedi- In golf terms, handicap is
an average of hits per tour-
nament that each player
has. This is also depending
on the terrain on which was
played.

Aruba doesn’t have its own
approved organization or
federation like US Kids in the
United States. “You cannot
qualify in Aruba and see
how your score is in order
to reach US Kids. Golf is a
game heavily based on
gentleman and must have
people to witness if the
child is really that good. This
is why you need to have a
qualification to certify the
child’s level”, Neomar as-
sured us.

But Ayrton’s dream is split,
because he also enjoys
playing soccer and wants
to play this sport profes-
sionally. Aside from beign
as good as his idol Tiger
Woods, he wants to be as
good as Dylan Ross, a lo-