Danny, 16, damaged his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) playing rugby league for Taree Panthers two years ago. He’ll require reconstruction surgery, but specialists have told him this won’t be possible until he’s a bit older.

So with league out of the equation, Danny started to concentrate on golf, a sport he’d previously only played sparingly. And he’s met with considerable success in a short time.

Danny has been named captain of the Lower North Coast junior team to play Newcastle/Hunter at Wingham on November 3 and 4. In the past 12 months he’s reduced his handicap from 20 to seven and he hopes to have this down to four by the end of 2018 and eventually down to scratch.

Danny is the Manning River Times-Iguana Sportstar of the Week, earning a $50 open order at Iguana.

His year has included winning the LNC division three championship at Harrington, taking out the junior championship at Wingham where he was also second in B-grade and second in the B-grade match play. Danny also won the junior boy’s open at Wingham and was Taree’s junior champion.

He was a member of the Lower North Coast side that defeated Central Coast for the first time in living memory while he has now been accepted into the Hunter Sports Academy.

Danny’s particularly looking forward to working with the academy as at the moment he’s largely self-taught.

He has a busy couple of months coming up as he will play in the Jack Newton Junior International at Cypress Lakes and he’s also received an invitation to turn out in the NSW Open Junior Pro Am at Twin Creeks. Danny also has a five point lead in the LNC Order of Merit with this to be finalised following the last tournament at Taree in December.

So Danny isn’t missing league too much, although he admits watching his former team-mates with the last two premierships has been a bit difficult.

He finds golf relaxing.

“And I've really enjoyed the people I’ve met through golf, especially playing pennants,’’ he said.

Danny is a member of the Taree and Wingham clubs and is on the course as often as possible.

He believes he’s striking the ball pretty well at the moment.

“But my putting needs work,’’ he quickly added.

“I’m improving, but I have a lot of work to do yet.’’

He doesn’t know if he’ll play league again even if he has the operation and added the knee doesn't worry him while he’s golfing.

Danny did thank Taree Golf Club’s committee for the support they’ve given him in the last 12 months.