PLAYING as often as possible, coaching from Jeff Mendham, the club professional at Tallwoods and competing regularly at a higher level.
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They're the reasons golf talent Reid Brown from Wingham gives for his purple run of form in recent weeks.
The 15-year-old scored one of his best wins at the tough Bonville course at Coffs Harbour when he took out the Tiger Challenge. The quality field included a number of past champions and Reid managed a score of net 74 to win on a countback. As winner he'll be invited back in the future.
Last month he took out the Armidale Junior Open in a dramatic four hole playoff. He entered the event because his sister, Maitlan, was in Armidale as captain of the Hunter side for the NSW Combined High Schools girl's cricket championship. It was a successful weekend for the siblings, with Maitlan steering Hunter to the State title.
Reid is the Manning River Times-Iguana Sportstar of the Week.
Reid faces a busy few months. He heads to the Hunter match play trials, where he'll meet Callum Bartley from Taree. He'll be looking for a strong performance there to be named in the Hunter side to play in the State championships in the Blue Mountains.
He was second at State last year when playing in the event restricted to year nine players and under. This year he'll be in open company if he makes it that far.
Reid, who now plays off one, heads to Tallwoods for sessions with Mendham at least once a month. He says it is paying dividends.
"My ball striking and accuracy have improved,'' he said.
"And mentally I'm stronger. I think that's from playing in higher level tournaments along with No 1 pennants with Wingham.''
Wingham scored a 5-1 win over Wauchope in pennants last week and will meet local rivals Taree this Sunday. However, Reid may not be available as he has to lead Wingham under 16s in the Manning cricket semi-final against Great Lakes starting tomorrow at Forster, with the game set to conclude on Sunday.
Reid had intended to skip cricket this season to concentrate on golf, but this changed when he was selected in the North Coast under 16s for the Bradman Cup. North Coast eventually came second. A leg spin bowler, Reid rated his form as reasonable, with a three wicket haul in one game his best performance,
He's also played one first grade game this season with United, when he finished with five wickets.
But golf's his preferred game. He'll play in the Peter O'Malley Junior Masters in Armidale later this month as well as his schoolboy commitments. Later in the year he'll defend the Wingham club championship. He's the youngest champion in the club's 100 year history.
