Despite Battling Medical Disabilities, 12-Year-Old Golf Phenom Turns Heads With His Massive Achievement

A 12-year-old boy who falls on the Autism spectrum has recently shocked the golfing community with his flair for the game. The golf protégé won the title at the Aims Games in New Zealand having played only three rounds before.

This young golfer is Bayleigh Teepa-Tarau. He belongs to a small township of Tāneatua in the Bay of Plenty. Winning a national title is a huge deal, especially for someone who didn’t have any real previous experience of playing. Bayleigh’s mastery has left the golf world in shock. Let’s dive into the story.

Bayleigh Teepa-Tarau is Nothing Short of Magic

Bayleigh Teepa-Tarau is truly an inspiration for all golf lovers around the globe after scoring 87 Stableford points from his three nine-hole rounds. At such a young age, Bayleigh has done something totally out of the ordinary. He is not a neurotypical person and his uniqueness is what makes him such an inspiration.

The young golfer not only won the Aims Games individual title for himself but also helped his three-member team win too. After winning the title, Bayleigh spoke about this campaign and his joy knew no bounds.

As per nzherald.co.nz, he said, “The thing I love about golf is hitting my driver. I dreamed about coming here and finishing in first place. And I had a lot of fun.”

Bayleigh’s sheer innocence is what makes him so endearing to everybody around him. According to his family, he does not fully understand the magnitude of his win at the moment. However, his love for the game radiates through his words and actions. Surely, the young talent has a very bright future ahead.

What’s Next for This Young Golf World Sensation?

As a long-term plan, Bayleigh can now look to play in the Special Olympics next year. Tāneatua school’s golfing star appears to have a bright future ahead of him. Both his parents, Hemi Tarau and Pare Teepa accompanied him to the course along with other family members who were thrilled to see their boy do so well.

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Upon his win, the family gleamed with pride. His father, Hemi Tarau, said, “Oh, I’m so proud of him.”  Surely, the 12-year-old has not only made a name for himself post his win but has also made his loved ones proud. “I’m surprised at how well he did because of his autism, but then I’m not surprised. He wasn’t really a sports kid a few years ago but he’s just got right into it now and it has done amazing things for his confidence,” Tarau added.

What do you think of the boy’s achievement? Did it inspire you? Let us know in the comments section below.

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