Peter Howe
Who would’ve known that a little seven-year-old girl, following her father around a golf practice area would lead to a blossoming golf career?
For Louise Baliton those moments on the practice area would see her fall in love with the sport.
“I would follow dad around the practice area at Mt Derrimut Golf Community Club and have a shot or two every now and then,” she recalls.
“Dad asked if I would like to learn and so when I was seven, I attended some golf clinics and I fell in love with the game.”
Baliton began playing in tournaments when she was nine-years-old, winning the first she one she entered.
The win encouraged her to continue playing and she was soon rising up the golf rankings.
In 2019 she was the recipient of a Victorian School Sports award “Sporting Blue” for golf and last year she won the girls Victorian Junior Masters. She also won back-to-back ladies championships at her home golf club.
In 2021, Baliton was awarded the Golf Victoria Future Champions Trophy and placed second in the girls Victorian Junior Open.
Baliton is a member of The Heritage Golf and Country Club women’s team that competes at the best sandbelt courses in Victoria.
“My current Golf Australia handicap is 1.4,” she says quietly, with pride.
“My training schedule with Maribyrnong Sports Academy involves technical training every Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon between 3.30-7pm at Medway Golf Club.
“Following our warmup, we follow an individual program developed in consultation with our coaches.
“It may be as simple as playing nine holes with a focus on course management.
“At school I have a gym program to complete on Monday and Thursday. It involves resistance training to strengthen my golf swing and core.”
Baliton sees her strengths in her short game with chipping and putting making the difference in her game.
Her favourite player is Lydia Ko, who she modelled her swing on, until Ko changed her game.
Baliton is currently in Adelaide playing back-to-back tournaments. It means golf during the day and hitting the books during the evenings.
Baliton is looking at what is required to enter the American College system on a golf scholarship.
“It would be an amazing experience. It is my dream to play on those courses. I will need to achieve a very high ATAR to gain college entry.”
Baliton is the April nominee for the Don Deeble Sports Star Award. The Don Deeble Sports Star Award is sponsored by the Yarraville Club Cricket Club, Strathmore Community Bank, the Deer Park Club, Ascot Vale Sports and Trophies and The Star Weekly Newspapers.
If you would like to nominate a monthly winner or attend a dinner, contact swrsportsclub@gmail.com or 0408 556 631.
