Virginia Golfer Mar / Apr 2020 | Page 14

( atc ) Next Up Spotlighting the next generation of Virginia golfers RISING TALENT by CHRIS LANG Paris Fieldings is an up-and- coming talent in junior golf. Virginia Golfer: We understand you became interested in golf at a very young age. What drew you to the game? Paris Fieldings: At a young age I was very competitive. When I was outside play- ing baseball with my friends, my mother noticed that I had very good hand-eye coordination. So they decided to put me in tennis, but that did not work out. My father then put me in golf and brought me with him to mixers. This is how I started playing golf. 12 VG: Having grown up playing through The First Tee, what do you like the most about the organization? And why would you rec- ommend The First Tee to other kids who are just starting out in the game? PF: I enjoy The First Tee because they always find a way to make golf fun. They incorporate games for us to play and I made wonderful friends at First Tee. As someone who always likes to compete and enjoys a challenge, I loved it. They also incorporate important life virtues in each of the lessons. V I R G I N I A G O L F E R | M A R C H / A P R I L 2 0 2 0 PARIS FIELDINGS AGE: 15 CLUB: VSGA Junior Golf Circuit FUN FACT: Participated in National Drive, Chip and Putt Finals at Augusta at age 11 So you're not only learning the game of golf, but life lessons that you can use. If a child were just starting to play golf, I would recommend the First Tee. VG: You made it to the National Finals of Drive, Chip and Putt in 2016. What was your experience like at Augusta National? And what advice would you give to the three Virginia kids who advanced to the finals this year? vsga.org AT AGE 15, PARIS FIELDINGS has already accomplished plenty in junior golf, includ- ing a trip to the National Drive, Chip and Putt Finals and an age-group win at the highly regarded Scott Robertson Memorial. She finished tied for fifth at last year’s VSGA Junior Girls’ Championship. Still, the homeschooled Fieldings has plenty of room to grow and improve in her game as she chases her long-term goals. Virginia Golfer caught up with Fieldings to check in on her game.