The Little People’s Golf Championships is happy to announce that the winners of the 2021 Best Letter Awards are Courtney Beerheide and Liam Kelly.
Each year, the Quincy (IL) Herald Whig presents Best Letter Awards to the player or players who submit the best letter with their Little People’s entry.
“These letters just jumped out at me,” stated Matt Schuckman, Whig Sports Editor.
Courtney, 13, from Arlington Hts., IL, was a competitive swimmer at age 8, but fell in love with golf while attending a golf lesson with her brother Ryan and swing coach Jon Reese. Coach Reese help Courtney develop her swing and become a fundamentally sound player.
She experienced success during her years with the IJGA, including a hole-in-one at age 10. Her goals are to grow taller and become stronger so she can hit drives of 200 yards consistently, shoot a score in the 60s, make the Varsity high school golf team and win at least one state event during her four years of high school.
A straight A student, she enjoys reading, but math is her primary interest, as she enjoys the challenge of solving multi-step equations.
Courtney’s family has always been very athletic. When talking about playing Pepsi Little People’s, she said, “winning would be the icing on the cake!” And she DID win her 12-13 division at Little People’s, by shooting 71-74—145 and edging out her nearest opponent by one shot.
Liam, 12, from Winnetka, IL, feels that golf is two different games, social and competitive, and enjoys both. He has had a golf club in his hand since age 2.
“I’ve been fortunate to have a local par-3 course that I can play with friends,” he says. “It’s nice to have a little freedom for my pursuit of happiness,” he adds.
He has also played a variety of tournaments that have opened up different situations that taught him many different lessons.
“That’s another great thing about competitive golf,” he says. “You get to practice, then try out your practice, then practice some more.”
“Golf is kinda my lifestyle and I will always play a round when I get a chance,” he adds.
Congratulations to both Courtney and Liam on winning a Best Letter Award from Pepsi Little People’s and the Quincy Herald Whig for 2021!
ABOUT PEPSI LITTLE PEOPLE’S
The Pepsi Little People’s Golf Championships is an international junior golf competition for boys and girls aged 3 through 18. The 49th annual tournament will be held June 20-22 at Westview Golf Course in Quincy, Illinois USA. Competition is held in seven age divisions for boys and seven age divisions for girls. More information and entry forms are available at www.littlepeoplesgolf.com, or by contacting Nan Ryan, Tournament Director, at jrgolfer@littlepeoplesgolf.com, or 217-257-5718.