Malcolm Little
12-year old Malcolm Joel Little lives in Detroit, a city that’s been named America’s most dangerous city, four years running, by Forbes Magazine. But this bright star is not deterred and believes that his positive attitude and golf skills are his keys to success.
Malcolm carries a 6 handicap and knows that hard work and lots of practice is what got him there. The active youngster, who seems much older than his actual age, makes the most of summertime school breaks by keeping his golf clubs close at hand. The pre-teen gives special thanks to his uncle (Brak Little) for getting him into this wonderful game that keeps him off of the streets and out of trouble.
Malcolm’s mom and dad (Dannielle and Joel) are home schooling their son while Michigan Junior Golfademics, a Michigan-based junior golf organization founded in 2001, keeps him on the straight and narrow path of golfing success.
Malcolm is the youngest member of his family. He has four sisters and one brother, but he’s the only one among them who plays golf. When he’s not reading or studying his schoolwork—math is his best subject—Malcolm has a strong facination with robotics. At other times he can be found lending a hand to help others through community service. “I work with Hollywood Golf as a volunteer and with several other smaller organizations and church groups. I especially enjoy helping them with their golf programs for juniors,” he touts.
Whenever the weather permits Malcolm is outdoors playing and practicing his golf, almost daily, on his home course in Rouge Park. The beautiful 18-hole course is a part of the City Of Detroit Park System and features 6,325 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 72. Malcolm has hit in-and-out of mostly all of its bunkers. But this doesn’t sway him because, he know it comes with the territory of getting better.
“My friend Juwaan Banks is one of my main golf partners,” says Malcolm, whose aim is to one day play professionally on one of the tours. He already wins lots of rounds against children older than himself who have been playing years longer.
He explains, “My love of the game and my father’s support is what keeps me focused. Win or lose, I want to play everyday. The backing of my parents makes a big difference for me.” Astoundingly, he doesn’t hesitate to challenge (and beat) most adults, while playing from the men’s tees.
Full of energy and confidence Malcolm declares, “I enjoy playing golf because I am very good at it, and I love beating adults. I just really love it….”
A focused strategist on the greens, Malcolm’s recent wins are quickly making a name for him:
• Second place at Royal Oak Golf Course (Royal Oak, MI) playing in the optimist junior qualifier where he shot 84;
• First place at optimist qualifier, Chandler Park Golf Course,(Detroit, MI) where he shot 73;
• Second place at Michigan Chronicle Open, Rouge Park Golf Course,(Detroit, MI) where he shot 78;
• First place at Midwest Golf Association Junior Golf Tournament, (Lima, Ohio) at Hawthorne Hills Golf Course, where he shot 86-81;
• Competed in the National Chip, Putt & Drive contest in August 2013, winning the first round in Illinois.
Of course, these wins don’t happen by circumstance. Malcolm has made a strong commitment to be his best at this game–and he’ll tell you that. His successes are built on a solid foundation of consistent training and practice. He’s taken over 5-years of lessons from various coaches.
“My main coach is Gino White of Gino’s Golf Academy. The coaches I’ve had give me structure and a routine to follow.” In fact, Coach Gino is one of the best and was a caddie for professional golfer Hal Sutton. “He really knows the game better than most coaches I’ve had. He demonstrates to me how to strike the ball correctly, proper grip, stance, balance and swing.”
Young Malcolm seeks to continue to master his golfing skills and admits that, “Putting is the hardest part of the game for me, but the most important. Because, I know that the best putter in a match usually wins.”
So what does the future hold for Malcolm? And what is his secret to overcoming? “Parental involvement is the key to making a champion,” he says.
