Date: August 25, 2016
Author: Dave Tease

Armstrong into Golf NSW HP squad

The ACT’s Josh Armstrong has been added to the Golf NSW High Performance Squad after some impressive performances in the last 12 months.

Armstrong has just arrived home after six weeks of competition overseas, the highlight being a runner-up finish at the Junior World Championships at Torrey Pines.

Dean Kinney National Coach – NSW was delighted to recognise Armstrong’s work ethic with HP squad selection.
“I’m impressed with his application and desire to improve himself holistically every day. He approached the experts at Precision Athletica to assist him physically, Noel Blundell to assist psychologically and Gary Barter for technical advice. He will set the benchmark amongst his peers in his dedication to improve.”

Armstrong, who plays his golf at the Lakes Golf Club in Sydney was thrilled with the news. “I got a phone call last night from Dean (Kinney) telling me that I made the squad. I’m pretty happy. This will give me a great deal of confidence. I’ve looked at the others in the squad and I realise now that I can play at this level."

" I’m the youngest guy in the squad. It’s going to spur me on too.”

The 17-year-old began his golf career at Canberra’s Gold Creek at a very young age. His dad David put a club in his hand as soon as he could stand up. “I got my first handicap before I turned six, I look up to my dad. He keeps me going, keeps me motivated,” he said.

Prior to his world junior result, Armstrong’s biggest win was in the Australian Schoolboys Championships at Thirteenth Beach in Victoria, which seems like a long time ago to him now. ”When I think back to that, I realise now how much I’ve matured as a golfer and learnt to deal with situations,” he said.

Armstrong knows how far he still needs to go in the game and the work that’s required to get there. "I definitely want to turn pro and become at least a top-three player in the world.”

He's hopeful too that one day he’ll compete alongside his golfing hero, Jason Day. “He handles himself so well. He’s done so many things others haven’t done. It would be great to tee it up beside him one day,” he laughed.