Golfing prodigy seeks funding
An 11-year-old golfing prodigy's hopes of defending his World Junior title in the United States have been sunk.
Karl Vilips' father says he can't afford to pay for his son to fly overseas to compete...and he's angry Golf Australia won't chip in.
Karl Vilips is remarkably talented for someone so young.
At the age of 11 he's got big dreams.
“(I want to) be a pro and hopefully win a Masters,” he said.
His proud father believes Karl can one day be as good as Tiger Woods.
“At the same age Tiger and Karl have had the same number of world championship wins.”
He has three so far but hopes of winning a fourth and starting a golf scholarship in the US have been sunk.
His unemployed father can't afford the airfare to get him there.
“It makes me feel absolutely ashamed that Karl has me to blame,” he said.
Karl has many impressive awards he’s won on the junior world stage but without more financial support his father fears he may have to give up the sport he loves.
But Golf Australia won't help.
“They won't give Karl any support until he's at least 14 years of age.”
CEO Stephen Pitt says Golf Australia “looks at each request on a case-by-case basis”.
Limited funding means “not all are successful.”
“It's something the organisation is working hard to address,” he said.
“If someone's really good and if they can take it to the next level they should support them.”
Details of how to help can be found here or email pauls@westnet.com.au.
