GOLF
As New Zealand golf searches for its own Junior Tiger, Rotorua's Beau Flint has the game and look for the part of a budding Tiger Woods.
The Rotorua Intermediate 11-year-old won the 11 and under regional tournament at the Rotorua Golf Club recently, earning himself the chance to play in the
national finals in Palmerston North next month, when one youngster will be crowned New Zealand's Junior Tiger.
All finalists will be in a draw and the winner and a family member then get to head to Disneyland where New Zealand's Junior Tiger will play in the world final.
Flint shot 43 for his nine holes on the Arikikapakapa course to win and with a best score of 84 from Lakeview Golf Club's blue tees, the 20 handicapper has the makings of a young Woods.
"I've been playing as long as I can remember," he said as he warmed up for the Lakeview Golf Club's open hams tournament.
"I started off with plastic golf clubs, then my grandparents cut down some [real] clubs for me."
Dressed in a Tiger Woods cap, smart Nike shirt and black trousers, Flint looks like a miniature pro golfer in waiting.
"It's the etiquette. Golf is really challenging, you just can't go out there and think you are good. Mentally you've got to focus on what you need to do."
Beau believes his "short game and driving" are the best part of his game at the moment and he can smack the ball more than 200 metres off the tee.
In his bag are two novelty wood covers, a Tiger and a Kiwi, just like Tiger Woods has.
Getting the chance to be New Zealand's Tiger would be a real buzz for Flint, who has two favourite players he watches when he can on television.
"Camilo Villegas, because he's an international and one of the best and Tiger Woods - because he is the best."
Flint will be joined in the New Zealand Junior Tiger finals in Palmerston North by Tyler Kingi, who won the Rotorua 11 and under girls section and Tawhirimatea Witoka, who won the boys' 12-14 section.
