Golfer Eli Parsons scores emotional victory on debut in the men’s competition

Eli Parsons has been going from strength to strength since he first set foot on the fairway at age five - now he’s rubbing shoulders with men in the senior ranks of Rockhampton’s golf community.

Australian Cameron Smith has been the talk of international golf lately but there’s a Central Queensland golfer who has the local circuit buzzing.

Eli Parsons, 10, is the youngest player ever to compete in the men’s competition at the Rockhampton Golf Club - that anyone can remember at least.

He walks in the footsteps of former world number one and international champion golfer Jason Day, who honed his skill on the courses around Rockhampton from about age eight.

The decision to allow Eli to play with the men was justified when, on debut in the senior ranks and playing off a handicap of 24, Eli had 38 stableford points to win C-grade in the Phil Story Memorial Day.

It was an emotional victory, given that Phil was a close family friend and a huge supporter of the young star’s budding career.

Eli’s Dad Geoff explains that when the memorial day was introduced after Phil’s death at age 56 in February 2020, Eli had said he would have his name on the trophy one day.

True to his word he delivered after his impressive round.

Eli would always say “You’re the man, Phil” and he was proud and excited to add that title to his already impressive resume.

“I was feeling a little bit nervous at first but I was playing with Dad and he told me not to be nervous,” he said.

“I think it was my long game - my driver, three wood and my long irons - that helped get me the win.”

Eli had an outstanding 2021.

On the local scene, he won the Rockhampton and Emu Park Junior Open C-grade events, and was runner-up at Gracemere.

What he considers his greatest achievement came in April when he finished fourth against the country’s best in the nine-year division at the 2021 US Kids Golf Australian Masters at the Hunter Valley.

Geoff, who regularly caddies for his son, said that was “pretty unreal to watch”.

Eli said it was great to finish in the top four of what was a very hard competition.

He is no stranger to high-level competition.

He travelled to Malaysia, finishing 16th in the seven years and under division at the world titles.

At age eight, he was part of the Australian team that won the US Kids Golf Trans-Tasman Cup against New Zealand.

His next assignment is the Australian Age Division Tournament at the Gold Coast over Easter and he goes into the event understandably confident about his game.

“I’ve improved in some areas; I’m hitting it straight and far and I’m not missing a lot of putts any more,” he said.

“It’s really helpful that I have a putting green in my backyard which Dad built for me so I can practise out there.

“Golf’s a lot of fun, and it’s good having friends to play against in competitions.

“I like seeing how far I can hit a ball and then getting the ball in the hole.”

Rockhampton Golf Club professional Jeff Hoy coaches Eli and believes that as well as having the ability, he has the right temperament.

“He has a good work ethic and a good understanding and knowledge of the game,” he said.

“He is efficient in all areas, he doesn’t have any weaknesses.

“He listens and is eager to learn and he certainly puts the work in. He is patient with his game which is something you don’t often see in someone so young.”