BREAKING NEWS: Young golfers vie to be champion of champions
Image caption,Benji and Harley Botham say they can beat their famous granddadArticle information
“I love golf because it can sometimes be the best game, it can sometimes be the worst game.
“You can have a good round, and you can have a bad round.”
Professional and amateur golfers know that feeling only too well. Just ask Rory McIlroy.
However, those words of wisdom were spoken by nine-year-old Benji Botham.
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Image caption,The event has brought together 250 young golfers from 42 countries
Along with his younger brother Harley, he’s competing in the Champion of Champions Junior Golf World Championship in County Fermanagh.
The event has brought 250 young golfers from 42 countries to the Lough Erne Resort.
Seven-year-old Harley agrees with his big brother when asked why he likes golf.
“It’s also the difficultist game in the world and it’s the easiest,” he says.
They both began playing the sport as toddlers with a plastic toy golf set in the living room.
But now they say they can beat their grandad.
So what does Lord Ian Botham (yes the legendary England cricketer) think of his grandsons being better golfers than him?
“I don’t think he’ll be very happy”, says Benji.
Image caption,Michael Gallagher said the event is now the biggest in the world for junior golfers
Over the next three days the top young golfing talent aged from five to 19 will be playing the two courses.
The competition started with an opening ceremony which included a procession of flags, bagpipes, Irish dancing and traditional music.
“It’s been a world championship event that’s been running for five years and it’s now the largest in the world,” explains tournament director Michael Gallagher.
He says 2,500 international visitors will be staying in the area this week, generating more than £1m for the local economy.
Many will stay for a longer holiday and visit the sights.
Image caption,Sebastian McLeod said the course is looking good
Sebastian McLeod, who is aged 11, has travelled with his family from the Gold Coast in Australia.
It is the first time he has taken part in the competition.
“The course is looking really good so I’m really excited and I think I’m going to have lots of fun,” he says.
He first started playing golf at the age of two.
“I like how it makes a sound when you hit the ball and when you hit a good a shot and when you make a putt it’s just exciting,” he says.
The course is open to spectators to come and watch and maybe try to spot a future Major champion.
Image caption,Some of the young competitors get in some putting practice