Aussie Junior Golfer Obsessed with the Game Heads Overseas to Test Skills

A Sunshine Coast golf prodigy has received an invitation to compete in an international junior tournament in Canada, marking a significant milestone in his early sporting career.

Alby Weyden, an eight-year-old from Pelican Waters on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, has been selected to participate in the US Kids Golf Canadian Invitational, a prestigious youth development tournament scheduled for July 2026.

The invitation comes just over two months before the event, giving Alby and his family a limited window to prepare for the overseas competition. His father, Jason Weyden, expressed surprise at the opportunity, stating the family “certainly weren’t expecting it” when the invitation arrived.

Alby’s fascination with golf began exceptionally early in life. According to his mother Emma Weyden, he showed interest in the sport before he could walk, becoming obsessed with golf balls at just two years old while still wearing nappies.

Emma Weyden described how Alby would carry a plastic container filled with 20 golf balls everywhere he went, even sleeping with them and taking them into the shower. She noted that while other children brought stuffed toys to daycare, Alby preferred to have his golf balls with him at all times.

His early exposure to the game came from watching his father practice at driving ranges. Alby began formal lessons at age three, though his parents observed that he quickly grasped concepts without extensive instruction.

Jason Weyden serves as Alby’s caddy during tournaments, providing guidance on club selection and course strategy. This father-son partnership has been a consistent element in Alby’s junior golf journey.

The US Kids Golf Canadian Invitational is recognized as a top-tier international tournament focused on youth development in golf. Strong performances at such events can open pathways to other major championships and opportunities to showcase talent before golfing scouts, and sponsors.