Zak, 6, tees up golfing success

FROM Pinehurst to St Andrews – golf whizz-kid Zak Collins is almost as busy as a professional tour player.

The six-year-old from Ballincollig, Co Cork, arrived back in Ireland yesterday after taking his place among the best young players in the world in an international competition in the US at the weekend.

But now he has his sights set on the finals of the Irish and British Wee Wonders competition at the historic St Andrew’s course in Scotland later this month.

Zak competed in the US Kids Golf World Championship at Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina – the home of American golf – against some of the world’s top young golf players, including Allan Kournikova, a brother of former tennis star Anna Kournikova, finishing 36th out of 55.

His dad Denis, who caddied for him, and his partner Stephanie, said they are immensely proud of their son.

They admitted that tears welled in their eyes when he was introduced at the first tee on the first morning.

“He can stand up and be proud,” Denis said.

But he said his son was probably overwhelmed by the occasion, and struggled in the heat and humidity.

“Some of the other kids have played in up to 20 competition. Zak put a lot of pressure on himself. But overall he had a ball,” he said.

Young Zak slept on all the flights and on the drive home from Shannon airport yesterday.

“It was a fantastic experience. We had a ball. The things they did for the kids were absolutely fantastic,” Denis said. “We’ll take a few days off now but we’ll be back on the Lee Valley course at the weekend.”

Dylan, 16, and Shauna 18, welcomed their family home yesterday. Zak is due to go into senior infants at Gaelscoil Uí Riordáin early next month.