Youngster Joseph Newby fell in love with golf in 2020. Since then, the eight-year-old from Sunderland has racked up an impressive number of wins locally and nationally.
To date, he has won four times in his age category on the US Kids Golf Midlands Tour, including a victory in this year’s Tour Championship at Branston County Golf Club.
Those achievements are quite remarkable for a boy who took up the sport just two years ago and is a member of both Whitburn and Boldon – where he has also won the Wee Wonders Championship and Harry Dixon Trophy while representing the club’s junior team.
Joseph’s dad, Craig, said: “I’d like to thank to both Boldon and Whitburn. We’re also very grateful for Stephen McNally’s coaching as well as the help and advice we’ve received from Dave Tate and Mark Robson.
“Joseph wanted to get involved with golf and I’ve never seen a child swing a club the way he does. He just seems to have a natural talent for it. He’s got better and better, and really grown into it. He absolutely loves it.
“I just want him to achieve something in life and to see him doing so well is just mind-blowing.”
As a single parent, Craig was also keen to thank twho are supporting Joseph, including Sunderland boxer Paul Holborn.
“Lots of people have helped us, including Paul McGlynn of North East Body and Paint, Emma Watkins at Washington Virtual Golf Centre, KT Car Sales’ Kieron Trott, and Raj Ghag of Rawmarsh Road Premier Shop.
“As a single parent, I have to look for funding towards helping Joseph to play on the US Kids Golf tour, and we’re incredibly grateful to all those who help us.”