Young golf prodigy Cooper Holman with his bag and clubs, and some big trophies.
Photo by
Les_Garbutt
An 11-year-old golf prodigy with a 3.4 handicap, Cooper Holman, is making waves despite a serious health condition.
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It didn’t take long for Cooper to get noticed on the golf course since he moved to Mulwala two months ago, in April.
Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort members learnt more about the young talent last Saturday at the announcement of the day’s club competition winners.
A special presentation was made to Cooper for scoring an albatross on the Lake Course’s 18th, Par 5 hole two weeks ago.
Club captain Steve Buckley presented the talented young achiever with a bronze trophy in ball shape.
Cooper hit his driver an astounding 230 metres on the carry.
“I was left about 215 metres in and hit this nice three-wood, rolled down the hill into the hole,” the excited Cooper said.
But there’s a lot more to know about Cooper with respect to his golf performances at all levels and why he is home-schooling due to a serious health condition.
The driving style of Cooper Holman on Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Course Lake Course.
Photo by
Les_Garbutt
The current 12 years and under Queensland State Champion competed in Pinehurst North Carolina for the Junior World Golf Championships last July/August 2024, where out of 155 best players around the world, he finished a fantastic fourth.
Cooper, currently the number one ranked 11-year-old golfer in Australia, is a four-time Australian Junior Age Division Champion, twice Australian Open Champion and twice Australian Masters Champion.
His first handicap, on June 16, 2021, was 15.4 at Coffs Harbour, he got into single figures on September 24, 2022, at 8.6, at Maroochy River and was on 3.2 at YMGCR on May 31. Since May, Cooper has been under the tutelage of Sandy Jamieson.
Cooper has been home-schooled since the end of 2023, when he was diagnosed with a massive arachnoid brain cyst over the right side of his brain.
“It cannot be operated on as it has major blood vessels attached to the top, and he could end up paralysed down the left side should surgery go slightly wrong,” his father Justin said.
“If Cooper were to get a knock to the head, he could have an aneurysm and die, hence why he is home-schooled.”
Not only is Cooper an amazing golfer, but he is an amazing human being. He “loves” Yarrawonga Mulwala Golf Club Resort, “the fact that you can play on the two differing courses, and you have the Executive to practice on”.
Justin and wife Katie from Queensland manage the Sun Country Lifestyle Park in Mulwala and also have a daughter, seven-year-old Chelsea. Cooper turns 12 years old on August 5.
Justin plays off scratch. His best handicap has been +5.
“Cooper started picking up a club when he was 5-and-a-half or six. He had this natural swing,” Justin said.
Local head professional Evan Droop described Cooper as “a good young player with exciting prospects”.
Cooper’s dream is to be a World Number 1 golfer touring the world as a professional.
Demonstrating extraordinary commitment, Cooper trains daily and competes in club events multiple times a week.
While he participates in tournaments, when possible, the family is actively seeking sponsorships to support this promising young talent's journey in the sport.
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