Alex (14-years-old) and his younger brother Zac (11) have qualified to play at Pinehurst Golf Club in the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship tournament July 23-Aug. 2. Alex and Zac are the sons of Chris and Dave Stanz of Becker.

 

The U.S. Kids Golf Teen World Championship will feature a field with more than 1,200 participants from 47 states and 38 countries  in 13 age divisions.. The kids will get the opportunity to march in a procession representing their country ala the Olympic games.

 

The championship will consist of three rounds of golf along with several practice rounds.

 

U.S. Kids Golf Family Courses offer forward tees that scale the golf course to fit the skill of beginning golfers. A par four plays like a par four because the Level 1 and Level 2 tees are set to fit the driving distance of players new to the game. 

 

With more than 800 tournaments in 50 markets, players in the U.S. Kids Golf league learn how to compete without having to travel far. Two-day tournaments, such as State Invitationals and Regional Championships, are ranked by Junior Golf Scoreboard and are the natural next step for competitive junior golfers. At each level, players earn priority status in hopes of qualifying for the World Championship, held annually in Pinehurst, N.C.

 

Alex — who will be a freshman at BHS next fall, plays on the Becker Bulldog boys varsity golf team and had a very good year and topped it off by finishing section play as the top Becker golfer with a two-day total of 168. The team finished in second place in the Granite Ridge Conference and third place in sections.

 

Zac and Alex hope to take their skills at golf to even higher levels with the aspiration of playing not only for their high school golf team, but at the college and maybe even at the professional level.

 

“We love this game and want to play it everyday,” said Alex.

 

The entire Stanz family are avid golfers and at times mom and dad caddy for their kids and give them pointers as they try and hone their games. 

 

“There are times when we’ll just drop the kids off at the golf course in the morning, let them play all day while we are at work and pick them up later in the day,” said Chris. “They play 18 or 36 holes or hang out and putt on the greens or hit balls on the driving range.”

 

Zac, a left-handed player, looks up to fellow lefty golf pro Phil Mickelson as his inspiration because, “some times he’ll have a bad round, but he usually bounces back and plays much better,” Zac said. “I think that’s pretty cool.”

 

Alex likes pro Adam Scott because, “he’s cool under pressure.”

 

Alex and Zac credit their dad and their swing coach, Charlie, for blessing them with the talents they have for the game they love. Both Alex and Zac have been playing the game “ever since we could walk.”

 

During their qualifying year, Zac and Alex have been customarily shooting in the low 80s and high 70s for 18 holes or low 40s and high 30s on nine. Zac’s best round of golf came just this past year where he shot a superb 76 at Pebble Creek.

 

Alex had two 74s this past year, once at Pebble Creek and once on his brother Zac’s favorite golf course in the state, The Wilderness at Fortune Bay of Lake Vermillion.

“I like Wilderness because of the way it is set up. It’s tough and has good rough and the greens are always good,” said Zac.

 

Alex prefers to play the Quarry at Giant’s Ridge in Biwabik because “of the views and the golf course is set up to score well,” he said. “I feel it there.”

 

Zac hits a profusion of brands of golf clubs including Taylor Made, Titleist and Wilson. Alex tends to stick with what is working for him and for now he enjoys using Taylor Made golf clubs.

 

Both Stanz brothers know their odds of winning the World Championship at Pinehurst is very slim, but they both hope to realistically finish in the top 50 of their age categories.

 

“Top 10 would be awesome, but I expect to compete and finish in the top 50 out of my age group,” said Alex.

 

Dave Stanz will get the opportunity to caddy for both sons as Alex will play the first week in N.C., with Zac following the next week. Wife Chris will also be in attendance for both events, cheering her sons on as a proud parent.

 

“Over the years, we’ve tried to teach Zac and Alex that if you happen to hit a bad shot — which happens to all of us — how are you going to get that shot back and finish strong on the hole?” Chris said. “This game is more than natural talent, it’s a very mental game and its good to learn not to fall apart when things arent going your way.”

 

Dave is also excited for his sons and can’t wait to see how this world experience will affect Alex and Zac.

 

“We know they’ll be competing against some top talent at Pinehurst but we are going mostly for the experience,” he said. “We need to help teach them to not get all caught up in the ups and downs and the frenzy of an event like this and go out and just have fun.”

 

The World Championship is one of the world’s largest and most prestigious golf events for junior golfers and is in its 15th year.