Montana Strauss finished second in this month’s Victorian Primary Schools’ Golf Championship to book a spot in the Victorian team for the third straight year. 22586By Marc McGowan
PEARCEDALE schoolgirl Montana Strauss will represent Victoria in golf for the third straight year in November.
The talented 11-year-old finished second in the Victorian Primary Schools’ Golf Championship at Box Hill Golf Club this month to earn the honour.
Fifteen-handicapper Montana, 11, shot an impressive 73 on the 18-hole course – just two more strokes than Korean Su Huyn Oh from McKinnon Primary School.
Wesley College student Young Min Chi rounded out the top three.
Montana also placed second in the event last year and was third in 2006.
The grade six Pearcedale Primary School student’s sister, Tayla, 13, came second in the latter year.
The siblings – who have a friendly rivalry – combined to win the women’s section of the Victorian Family Championship at Barwon Heads Golf Club in July.
Montana joins three other girls and eight boys in the Victorian squad and will compete against New South Wales and Queensland in New South Wales on 9 November.
Montana’s father Ziggy introduced his daughter to the sport when she was five years old.
“I play golf at Long Island (Golf Club) myself and Montana started coming along and hitting a few balls,” Ziggy said.
“If you work hard on it, like anything, you get better and she wanted to keep improving.
“She practises three or four times a week and has got a good coach over at Long Island.”
Long Island Golf Club professional Matt Austin coaches Montana twice a week and she plays a round of golf every Sunday – often squeezing in another hit in between.
“I love playing on different courses and meeting nice people,” Montana said.
“I’ve started to take golf more seriously over the last few years and I’m hoping to get my handicap down to nine or 10 in the next year.
“You have to concentrate for the whole 18 holes.”
Pearcedale Primary School principal Donald MacKenzie is also thrilled with Montana’s achievements.
“I’m very proud of Montana. She’s not only a very nice person, she’s an excellent student and she’s very modest,” he said.
“We encourage all of our students to get involved in sport.”
Montana, who rates her chipping as the best part of her game, has won various tournaments across the state.
The Frankston South resident also has her eyes on a couple of tournaments during the upcoming school holidays.
“(It’s frustrating because) one day you might have a really good golf day and the next you don’t,” she said.
“I don’t really get angry out on the course, but sometimes when I’m practising I do.”
Montana prefers to focus on making golf fun at this stage, but does dream of playing on the professional golf tour.
MacKenzie, however, did offer one piece of advice to her if she was to continue excelling on the links.
“You do realise, Montana, if you ever play golf against me, and beat me, that’s automatic expulsion from school,” he joked.
