Toddler golfer outshines peers on links By Rachel J. Trotter_ Standard-Examiner correspondent NORTH OGDEN Ever heard of Jaxon Ballantyne? Maybe not, but in about 20 years, his name may be as familiar as Tiger Woods in the golfing community. This 2-year-old from North Ogden swings like a pro and can putt around any adult. His father, Jon, is an avid golfer and thought nothing of it when he found some small golf clubs for his young son about six months ago. "I found these miniature golf clubs, and I thought they were so neat," Jon said as he demonstrated how similar they are to normal-size clubs. "When he got them, he tore them out and made them work," Jon said of his son. Jaxon was hitting balls all over the house and hitting walls as well, so his parents decided they had better find some other BRIAN NICHOLSON/Standard-Examiner places for him to play. They took him outside, and when that didn't quench his thirst for the links, they took him to a real golf course. They also often take him to indoor places such as Uintah Golf and Gart Sports. "He knows sign language for 'store,' and that means he wants to go golfing," said his mother, Leslie. The Ballantynes have five children; three older children range in age from 11 to 16. They adopted Jaxon when he was 2 months old. They also adopted Kaylie, who is almost a year younger than Jaxon. Kaylie has learned at a very young age not to mess with her brother's clubs. "He is very protective of those golf clubs," Leslie said as Jaxon grabbed a club from Kaylie's hands. The Ballantynes have a small golfing toy set up in the family room for Jaxon to play on with soft balls; the real things are reserved While other golfers look on in amazement, Jaxon Ballantyne, 2, works on his swing at the driving range at Mulligan's Golf in Marriott-Slaterville recently. for outside play only. As he putts or swings, he tells everyone where he'll hit the ball and aims for that location. "We'll take him out to hit a bucket of balls, and we usually get him two big buckets, and he may only miss the ball once," Leslie said. They have become well-known at area golf courses and often take him out for a round. "Me and my son, Bradley, ride in the cart, and Jaxon runs along side of us hitting like crazy," Jon said. They play at Mulligan's most often because his place of employment offers season passes there. "We are really lucky. If we didn't have that, we would be paying $60 a week I bet," Leslie said. Mulligan's golf pro, Jimmy Blair, said Jaxon is a good golfer for a child his age, but that his inner drive is unparalleled. "I've seen kids who can golf, but I've never seen anyone with a drive like Jaxon's got. He just never tires. He just keeps on going, like the Energizer bunny," Blair said. "You hear stories about Tiger Woods and his drive to play. Jaxon seems to have that. I've never seen or heard of anything like it," Blair said. "He is a phenomenal golfer, but his drive is what is amazing." Jon has kept score on some par 4 or par 5 holes and Jaxon usually scores a 9 or 10. He knows how to putt well, too. "It sometimes takes us four putts, and it will take Jaxon two," Leslie said. Jaxon's golfing has become a family affair, which works out well because the whole family likes to golf. "I probably go once a week myself, and sometimes our family takes little golf trips. Sometimes our older kids take a back seat to all the attention Jaxon gets, but they deserve credit, too, because they help out a lot," Jon said. Both parents say they are thrilled with Jaxon's obvious talent and hope he can use it in the future. "I feel like if we hadn't adopted him, he wouldn't have had the same opportunity to pursue this talent. His parents were 15. Now we have the means to give him the opportunity to do this," Leslie said. The family has talked with Blair at length about their son's natural abilities. "He suggests keeping him swinging, and in a few years he can join the Utah Junior Golf Association," Jon said. "He said he's never heard of talent at such a young age besides Tiger Woods," Jon added. Jaxon's not shy about showing his talents. He shows the difference between the golf clubs and proudly displays the golf tees that he carries with him regularly. "He would much rather have golf tees and balls than toys anytime," Jon said. The only way to coax him off the links is to guarantee apple juice and crackers on the way home. He doesn't shy away from an audience either. Video the family has of his golfing show him strutting his stuff as he tees off and dancing around after a good swing as a group of older women cheer him on. "That's Jaxon!" he yells as he points to himself, his face inches from the television screen. Everyone may be saying that again in a few years if Jaxon keeps up that superior golf swing.