MICHAEL KIRAL / L’Observateur / August 7, 1999

LAPLACE – When Yvette Coleman wants to find her son Andrew, she knows just where to look – the golf course.

Whether it’s playing on the Compaq Classic/New Orleans Golf Association’s 1999 Junior Tour or in the junior program at Belle Terre Country Club or just playing nine rounds by himself, Coleman can usually be found swinging a club. That dedication has paid off as Coleman hasbecome one of the top junior golfers in the area.

Coleman, who recently turned 11 years old, took up the game two years ago and has been a quick learner during that time. This year, he swept hisCompaq Classic/NOGA Junior Tour events, including the Colin Cup and the City Championships. Coleman also placed second at the Belle Terre JuniorClub Championship Wednesday.

Coleman has good bloodlines in the sport. His great-grandmother, “Dutch”Peattie, was the club champion in Pascagoula, Miss. For 30 years and wonthe Gulf Coast Ladies Tour. Coleman said she had a big influence on him inplaying the sport.

“She just helps me a lot,” Coleman said.

Two years ago, Coleman began playing at Belle Terre. Last year, he joinedthe Compaq Classic/NOGA Tour, placing third at the Colin Cup championship and fourth in the City Championships.

Coleman continued to work on his game after the season, cutting eight to 10 strokes off his score. He started the 1999 Junior Tour June 21 byshooting a nine-hole total of two-under par 34 to win the tour stop at Timberlane Country Club. A week later, he duplicated that score atMetairie Country Club to win that event. Coleman went on to win the rain-shortened stop at Beau Chene Country Club with a six-hole total of 21.

Coleman’s victories in those events qualified him through the tour’s point system for the Colin Cup and the City Championships. The top 10 players inthe 60-player 9-11 age group qualified for the Colin Cup and the 20 qualified for the City Championships.

Playing in the Colin Cup July 27 at Eastover Country Club, Coleman shot a nine-hole total of 3-under par 33, winning the title by a stroke when he sank a 20-foot putt on the final hole.

This past Monday, Coleman again shot a 33, this time at Lakewood Country Club, to take a five-stroke lead after the first day in the City Championships. The event, with the top eight players from the first day,moved to English Turn Country Club for the second round of nine Tuesday where Coleman posted a score of 35. His two-day total of 68 won the titleby six shots.

A highlight of his career came on the course’s famous 15th-hole island green. Coleman was the only player to go for the green and his 3-wood hitthe green before bouncing into the back bunker. The course quickly becamehis favorite of the courses he has played so far.

“It’s fun,” Coleman said of playing on the Compaq Classic/NOGA tour. “Youget to have some competition. It has a lot of good people.”Coleman continued his success at the Belle Terre Junior Club Championship Wednesday. Coleman shot an 86, tying Rion Poindexter forsecond place, three shots behind Phillip Kelly in the 18-hole competition.

It was at Belle Terre earlier this year that Coleman achieved the goal of every golfer. Playing the par-3, 132-yard fifth hole July 5, three weeksbefore his 11th birthday, Coleman knocked his 5-iron tee shot into the cup for his first ace.

“I was surprised,” Coleman said of the hole-in-one. “I was happy. I hadcome close a couple of times but hadn’t had one.”So what goes through Coleman’s mind during a tournament now that he has spent two years on the junior tour? “At first, I’m nervous,” Coleman said. “But when I get into my game, then Ijust keep playing.”Coleman said the strong part of his game is his chipping and putting. Hesaid his driving is pretty good, averaging 180-200 yards a drive, but that he would like to get stronger.

Coleman is working hard toward that goal, making the trip to the course almost a daily routine.

“Almost everyday,” Coleman replied when asked how often he plays.

“Sometimes I come out to play, sometimes just to practice. I work mainlyon my putting and chipping, a lot with my lob and pitching wedges.”Coleman, a sixth-grader at St. Joan of Arc, said he watches the sport ontelevision sometimes but that he really doesn’t have a favorite professional golfer, although he does like Davis Love III. He said he likesthe individual aspect of the sport.

“It’s fun and like to play it,” Coleman said.

Coleman said he would like to continue playing the sport and compete in it when he goes to high school. And of course there is always the dream ofplaying on the PGA Tour.

As for his mother, she’s happy that he’s picked up the sport.

“I’m very proud of him and I hope he continues in it,” Yvette Coleman said.

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