Neepawa's Hayden Delaloye will be escaping the cold weather in November to play the game he loves.
The 12-year-old has been invited to the Maple Leaf Junior Tour Boston Pizza National Golf Championship which will be played at the Legacy Golf Resort in Phoenix, Arizona.
Hayden earned his invitation because he was atop the MJT Manitoba Order of Merit as of July 2.
"I'm really excited that I get another chance to play in the Championships," said Delaloye. "It's just so exciting, and I can't wait for the event."
This is the third straight year Hayden will be playing in the Championships. One of the others was in Florida, while the other was in BC.
Despite the invitation and excitement to tee it up in Phoenix, Hayden isn't focusing on the Championships just yet.
"Right now, it doesn't really matter until you actually get there," said Delaloye. "I have some other tournaments here in Manitoba to worry about and practice for."
Included in the tournaments coming up is the MJT Manitoba Summer Classic at the Selkirk Golf & Country Club. That's followed up by the MJT PGA of Manitoba Jr. Championship presented by National Bank Financial at Niakwa Country Club.
Heading into those events, Hayden knows what he has to work on, and he's already got a head-start on it.
"My putting has been a little bit off lately," he added. "I've been getting some lessons at the Neepawa Golf & Country Club. So, once I get my putting down, I'll be able to shoot in the 70's.
"I just have to keep practicing to make sure I get the right stroke," said Delaloye. "And, if I miss the putt, I can't get down on myself.
Hayden last year at the National Championships in Florida.
Looking forward to Phoenix, Hayden has a goal in mind.
"I just want to do a lot better than I did in Florida," said Delaloye. "I want to play well so the other competitors have to beat me, not me beating myself."
