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www.aplushomes.ca Adam Campbell Broker of Record 905-844-4444 B R O K E R A G ER E A L T Y C O R P . INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED For more information on days of play, fees and returning member registration, please visit our website. www.oakvillesoccer.ca Oakville Soccer Club 1520 Pine Glen Road Dundas and Third Line (905) 849-4436 Youth League U5 to U18 (2006 1993) Adult League Open age (1992 1976+), 35+ (1976+) and Co-ed A proud sponsor of the Oakville Soccer Club 2010 Fall/2011 Winter Indoor Soccer Register Now! The Oakville Soccer Club is now accepting all registrations. New members to the OSC must provide proof of birth at time of registration. REGISTRATION DEADLINES FALL SEASON SEPTEMBER 12, 2010 WINTER SEASON DECEMBER 19, 2010 SportsOakville Beaver SPORTS EDITOR: JON KUIPERIJ Phone 905-845-3824 (ext. 432) Fax 905-337-5571 email sports@oakvillebeaver.com WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 18, 201026 ON COURSE: A little more belief in his abilities has helped Kyle MacDonald, 12, turn in some strong performanc- es this season, including a second-place showing at the provincial bantam championships. Confidence key to MacDonalds success By Jon Kuiperij BEAVER SPORTS EDITOR Kyle MacDonald was always told he had the ability, the technique, the swing. He just wasnt getting the results until now. The 12-year-old golfer is currently in the midst of a breakthrough season, including a second-place finish at last months bantam provincial champi- onships in Cambridge. MacDonald credits his success this year to adjustments he made in the offseason not to his swing, but to his attitude. I always had the ability, everyone said, but it was a confidence thing. I just didnt have any, said the St. Vincent Catholic School student. Now, when I have a pres- sure shot over water and I have to make the shot, I just think Youre the greatest golfer ever and youre going to make this shot, and I just hit it. Before, when I had a shot like that, Id be thinking Dont hit it in the water, and then Id hit it in the water. Thats really been the biggest differ- ence. As his confidence has grown, his scores have shrunk. MacDonald started the season by placing second at an under-14 tourna- ment, earning his first-ever tournament eagle and finishing with a score of 73. He also qualified for the US Kids World Championships by winning a 76- player tournament in Lansing, Michigan. MacDonald went on to finish 37th at the tournament, which featured 155 of the top 12-year-old golfers from around the world, carding scores of 78, 77 and 73. The five-handicap shot even par in his final round of the Callaway World Championship in San Diego last month, and hes been selected to play for Team Ontario in a Ryder Cup-format competi- tion this week against a Quebec squad. But the highlight of the season for MacDonald was his performance at the CJGA Ping Canadian Junior Match Play under-14 tournament. He chipped in for birdie on the final hole of qualifying to make the cut, then upset the tournaments top seed in the first round of playoffs. Everyone thought I would get destroyed. Only me and my dad had the confidence I was going to beat him, MacDonald said. On one of the first few holes, I had a bogey putt that didnt really matter. I just wanted to scare him by making it, so I drilled it into the centre of the cup, a 25- footer. I think that may have got to him because he was one up after that hole, and I was two up after the ninth hole. MacDonald continued to make long putts on the back nine of the course, then delivered the knockout blow by hitting a 5-iron to within five feet of the cup. He clinched the match with three holes to go. I think the pressure got to him, of a little 12-year-old kid beating him, MacDonald said of his opponent, who out- weighed him by more than 100 pounds. MacDonald nearly reached the semi- finals of the tournament, rallying from being five down with eight holes left before losing on the final hole. MacDonald, who has played since the age of three, plans on taking golf as far as he can. And, showing that new-found con- fidence, he believes that can be pretty far. I want to get a scholarship, I want to be in the PGA, I want to be the best golfer in the world, if my game can take me that far, he said, before catching himself. But Im pretty sure it will. RIZIERO VERTOLLI / OAKVILLE BEAVER