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09/16/2021 12:00 AMAndrew Beauton is only 14 years old, but he’s already golfing like a seasoned veteran. A freshman at Guilford High School, Andrew has competed in various tournaments on the Junior PGA Tour and won the 2021 Connecticut Junior Player of the Year Award.
Andrew recently played the Pine Orchard Yacht & Country Club Men’s Golf Club Championship over Labor Day weekend. Andrew earned a first-place finish competing against golfers of all ages to become the youngest champion in the history of the tournament.
“Throughout the entire weekend, I displayed consistent ball striking and made lots of putts to secure the victory,” Andrew says. “Next year, I would like to be a plus handicap and shoot under par more consistently. I also want to win lots of tournaments.”
Andrew has been playing golf since he was five years old. Andrew’s father Jerry bought him his first set of clubs, and Andrew enjoyed the game so much that he continued to play. Now, Andrew is looking forward to competing for the Guilford boys’ golf team in his freshman year at the high school.
Andrew says that his dad is his biggest fan and No. 1 supporter. Jerry caddies at every tournament and has taught his son everything that he knows about the sport of golf.
“It means a lot to me that he introduced me to golf and plays with me often,” says Andrew of his father. “He’s also my caddie in tournaments that allow a caddie. I enjoy spending time with him and playing the sport that I love.”
Andrew’s father is most proud of the resiliency that his son has shown throughout the course of his short, yet decorated career. Jerry loves that golf has created an even stronger bond between him and his son.
“I enjoy golfing with and caddying for Andrew,” says Jerry. “It is always an adventure, and it is so great to watch his game develop over the years, as well as his concentration and perseverance.”
Andrew is a multi-time winner on the Connecticut PGA Junior Tour and the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour. He has won five Junior Club Championships at Pine Orchard and two Junior Club Championships at New Haven Country Club. Last year, Andrew qualified for the Notah Begay III Junior National Golf Championship in Louisiana by taking first place at the Eastern Regional Qualifier in New Jersey.
One of Andrew’s favorite moments on the golf course came at a recent tournament that he competed in.
“My best moment as a player was holing out from 178 yards on the 15th hole in a tournament, which I went on to win and shoot 70,” Andrew says. “I used a 7-iron.”
An impressive aspect of Andrew’s success is that he has never taken a paid lesson in order to improve his golf game.
“I am self-taught and have never had a coach or lessons,” Andrew says. “I practice my swing every day and take videos of myself. I try to compare my swing to the game’s best. I am always working for perfection.”
Andrew plans to keep working hard in order to be ready for his first season with the Guilford golf squad next spring. Andrew has big expectations for his freshman year and wants to lead the Grizzlies to a successful campaign.
“I hope to be the No. 1 golfer for Guilford and lead to the team to a lot of wins,” says Andrew.