Surrounded by sand traps at Uplands Golf Club’s 11th hole, 8-year-old Liam Chang swung his 3-wood. With his view obstructed, he didn’t expect much. But moments later, he realized he had just aced his first-ever hole-in-one during the Callaway Junior Tournament in Greater Victoria, on Sept. 29.
“I really thought it wasn't going to go in because it kind of bounced past the hole,” said the young man. “I couldn't even see [the ball] and one of the dads shouted ‘Hey Liam, I think it went in.’ I just couldn't believe it. I looked in the hole and it was in there.”
His father, Gerald Chang, who introduced his son to golf at the tender age of four, was thrilled to hear the news.
“When my wife texted me that he got a hole-in-one, I couldn't believe it myself,” said Gerald. “I was like, ‘Wow, that's incredible to hit a 3-wood with 120 yards.’ It was really cool to see that he got one at such a young age.”
Due to a back injury, Gerald explained that he couldn’t attend the tournament, so his wife, who doesn’t play golf, stepped in as caddie instead. Despite not having his father's guidance, Liam worked his magic and pulled off this feat on his own.
“He had his best round ever so I might need to retire as his caddie and let my wife go as a lucky charm,” said Gerald smiling.
After finishing second on the podium among his age group, the young golfer described this achievement - the only ace recorded in the tournament that year - as the highlight of his day.
“I felt pretty good,” said Liam. “That hole-in-one really made my spirit go up… That was one of the best rounds of my life.”
Foreshadowing Liam's performance during the competition, Gerald noted that his son had already achieved a similar feat the day before. In his practice round, Liam had scored an eagle on the 13th hole, using his 7-iron from 90 yards.
As a member of the Victoria Golf Club, Liam practices up to five days a week. He credited a new technique he learned a few weeks earlier from his coach, Eric Wang, who has played with Tiger Woods, for significantly improving his overall performance.
“I got my hole-in-one and my eagle because he taught me a new aim routine,” said Liam. “That’s been really dominating my game and accelerating it to a whole new level.”
Less than two months ago, the Oak Bay golfer shone once again after ranking fifth in Canada at the 2024 MJT Mini Tour National Championship at Tsawwassen Springs.
Humble and soft-spoken, Liam has his eyes set on the future, aiming to compete at the highest level and join the PGA circuit when older, eager to rub shoulders with his favourite player, Collin Morikawa.
In the meantime, Gerald feels proud to witness Liam's recent success and rapid growth cherishing the opportunity to be part of this journey with his son.
“We go through my phone to look at his swing progression from when he first started [and] I’m super proud of the work that he's put in,” said the father. “It's been amazing to see.”
“I used to golf quite a bit when I was younger but ever since I started being his caddie, I find much greater joy and pleasure in that.”
