Meet Wyndham’s own pint-sized Olympic gold medallist.
Eight-year-old Taegen Dodds is all smiles after coming first in his age division at the West Coast AAU Junior Olympic Games championships in California.
The Point Cook resident also competed in the World Stars of Junior Golf championships in Las Vegas, placing 11th in that event.
Taegen began playing golf when he was three and quickly discovered a natural talent and passion for the sport.
He was competing by the time he was five and is the youngest-ever member at Sanctuary Lakes Golf Club.
Taegen said he was “very excited” to have competed in his first international golf tournaments and had had a lot of fun taking part.
“My putting and my tee to green was very good, and I made some friends there.
“I was really happy [to win]; everyone was really proud of me.”
At the world championships, Taegen hit 15 birdies out of 18 holes.
Dad Byron said it was great to see Taegen perform on an international stage.
“I’m pretty proud that he’s performed at that level and shown great application.”
Taegen practises three times a week under the guidance of coaches Dave McKendrick and Chris Andrews, first hitting 150 balls at the driving range then working on his putting.
He also does fitness sessions to improve his core strength.
