Liam Howlett can hardly wipe the smile off his face. And with good reason.
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The Ballarat golfer has been named in the Victorian National 12-years and under Golf Championships team.
He was the only regional-based member named in the squad which will travel to Toowoomba next month to take on the best young golfers in the country.
The 12-year-old said he cant wait to get started.
"It felt pretty good to be selected, he said.
"I set it as a goal maybe a year ago. I had a crack at it last year and was named as a reserve, but to actually make it this year and get to travel is exciting."
Howlett was one of eight players selected into the elite squad following a stellar showing at the State Schools Victoria qualifying trials earlier in the year.
I hopped in the car from school and my mum said she had some exciting news. I didn't know what it was, then she just said I had made the state team.
- Liam Howlett
After just missing out on selection in 2018, Howlett and his coach set himself a goal to go one better this time around. He did. And after a month of uncertainty the Ballarat Gold club member received the news he'd been waiting for.
"I hopped in the car from school and my mum said she had some exciting news. I didn't know what it was, then she just said I had made the state team," he said.
Howlett and his teammates will have their work cut out for them in the Sunshine State. Taking place from November 10-14, the week-long event will see teams play two days of competition before winners are announced.
Howlett said he hoped to play the best that he can.
"We know that New South Wales and Queensland are really good teams, but we'll try our best and whatever happens, happens," he said.
"Victoria came third last year, so we'll be trying to knock the other two off."
A regular of the Ballarat gold club, Howlett was the boys recipient of Ballarat Golf Club's Junior Scholarship for 2019. He is also a member of the FedUni Westvic Academy of Sport Golf Program, which helped to focus his talents on elite level competition.
Howlett said the opportunities have allowed him improve his game to a level that allows him to represent his state.
"It feels good to be representing the Ballarat Golf Club," he said.
"They've done a lot for me so it's really good.
"It's also good to represent all the regional kids. They've got their own local golf clubs, so to do it for them is good too."
Golf coach Andrew Cartledge, who has coached Howlett for the last three years, has worked with him from day one.
He described Howlett as the best primary school player he had ever seen.
"He'll compete well, he has done the hard work and he'll show he belongs," he said.
"This is why we do what we do, to bring the game to kids and help them get better, and if they can get to an elite level then that's great."