Third-grader has future on course

You know those bumper stickers, the ones that read "My kid can beat up your honor student?"

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Here's a good one to stick on Ken Talbert's car: "My little girl can outdrive your LPGA pro."

OK, maybe not outdrive. Out-putt, yes. Outdrive? Not yet, anyway.

Still, 8-year-old McKenzie Talbert of Edgefield County, S.C., hits her drives remarkably long and straight, and she's well on her way to becoming the next Michelle Wie.

Talbert finished third in the 8-year-old division of the U.S. Kids World Championships July 31-Aug. 2 in Williamsburg, Va.

The third-grader at Merriweather Elementary competed against 48 other golfers representing 50 states and other nations, including China and the Philippines.

In the three-day tournament, golfers played nine-hole rounds. Talbert finished with a total score of 1-under-par 107.

Two other local golfers also competed in the event. Jake Carter of Aiken tied for 27th in the 4- to 6-year-old division, while Blake Hadden of North Augusta tied for 47th in the 9-year-old division.

Talbert already has a few prestigious victories, including the Pee Wee championship at the South Carolina Junior Golf Association championship in Greenwood and the 8-and-under title at The Blade Championship at Thornblade Country Club.

Last year, Talbert advanced to the national finals of The Golf Channel's Drive, Chip, and Putt competition in Orlando, Fla.

The golf course has been a second home to Talbert. Her family's house overlooks the ninth fairway at the Mount Vintage Plantation Golf Course, and she has been playing there since she was 3.

"She's got a little knack about her," Ken Talbert said. "I was a decent golfer, a 4-handicap, and one day she was out there with me and she made a swing, and the finish and balance were perfect. She has natural ability and loves to compete."

One of the other advantages of Mount Vintage living for Talbert was the opportunity to meet and play with some of the LPGA Tour players at the Asahi Ryokuken International Championship.

This year, Talbert was invited to hit with eventual champion Rosie Jones during the Pro-Am.

"I was paired with Rosie in the Pro-Am, and she found out McKenzie was a good little golfer, and asked her why she didn't bring her clubs," Ken Talbert said. "So, when we got to (No.) 9, McKenzie jumped out of the cart and ran into the house to get her driver and putter. Rosie let her hit drives on the back nine and hit some putts."

On one hole, the other players all had 18- to 20-foot putts, Talbert said.

Jones left McKenzie putt for her, "and she drained it," he said.

After Jones won the tournament, she autographed a pin flag for McKenzie and wrote "Kenzie Bear, You're My Lucky Charm."

Next year, we suggest getting Talbert to sign a pin flag for you.

You'll find me out in the parking lot selling those bumper stickers.

DIXIE CHICKS: The Columbia County Recreation Department 11-12 All-Star softball team almost won a second Dixie league title for the county this summer.

The Ponytails represented Georgia in the Dixie Ponytails World Series in Bay St. Louis, Miss., earlier this month, and finished third - the best finish for a Columbia County team in the event.

Columbia County, coached by Ralph "Tuga" Pearson was also awarded the sportsmanship award at the tournament.

The Columbia County Recreation Department All-Stars won the 14-year-old Dixie Boys World Series title in Tennessee last week.

Reach Rob Mueller at (706) 823-3425.

--From the Thursday, August 14, 2003 printed edition of the Augusta Chronicle