Golfer Zach tees off at dream course... in his back garden

The five-year-old’s mum and dad decided to transform their back garden into a 75ft long, 30ft wide golfer’s paradise, complete with a putting area and three chipping zones.

Zach, who was the Learner of the Year runner-up at The News’ Youth Awards in June, has already won a golfing scholarship at Meon Valley Golf Course.

His mum Gemma says the skill runs in the family.

She said: ‘We installed the course so Zach and his dad could spend some time in the garden.

‘His dad is a keen golfer himself, with a handicap of six.

‘It took about six weeks to have it put in. It was convenient, because Zach injured his collarbone so it was ready by the time it had healed.’

According to Gemma, Zach’s passion for golf began at a young age.

She added: ‘We got him a set of plastic clubs when he was 14 months old, then his own left-handed club a few months later. Shortly after turning two, he was going to the driving range at Cams Golf Club when they invited him into the club. When he was four, he was offered a scholarship at Meon Valley, so he really has come a long way.’

This rise at such a young age hasn’t gone unnoticed. Zach has been mingling with some of golf’s top talent, like British US Master champion Danny Willett, as well as appearing on the UniLad Sport’s Facebook page, followed by 617,000 people.

When Zach turns six, his parents hope to take him to compete at the European junior golf championships – but it is not something they will force upon him.

Gemma explained: ‘The whole point of sport is that it’s about having fun. There’s a European junior golf competition and a couple of tournaments up in Scotland – we’ll go along to those, see if he enjoys it and take things from there.

‘At the end of the day, it’s down to him and what he wants to do, although I don’t think he knows just how good he is just yet.’

n You can keep up with Zach’s progress by following him on Instagram @Zachwheeler2011.