Tuesday, August 16 will mark the big departure of Alex Langrené and his dad for the Venice Open. The young 9-year-old golfer is about to take part in his first international competition. Thanks to his excellent general ranking in the US Kids of Lyon Local Tour this year, he will have the opportunity to compete against twenty-seven American, Russian and Italian players…
He is the first Altiligérien to participate in this tournament and the only one from Haute-Loire to go there. And the schedule is well set. Tuesday, arrival in Italy. Wednesday, reconnaissance of the course. Then tournament on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. “I can’t wait to go,” says the playful little golfer. From the height of his 9 years, he is already followed by sponsors, who provide his parents with financial assistance to buy equipment and pay transport costs during competitions.
A father-son passion
“I had brought golf clubs from Spain and when Alex saw them, he immediately understood what they were for”, proudly says Dorian Langrené, his dad. On his phone, he treasured the videos of his three-year-old boy armed with a plastic club.Alex and his dad take part in father-son tournaments on Sundays at the Chambon-sur-Lignon golf course.
Alex started golf at the same time with his trainer, Théo Thomas, owner of Le Puy golf course, who has followed him ever since. His dad, head of the Puy golf school, is himself a great enthusiast. “When he was younger, when I was finishing my course and going to have a drink, Alex would sit on the side and train for hours,” recalls the father of the family.
The young competitor is accompanied by his dad during each of his tournaments, “the results are of real importance to Alex. So when the competition takes a bad turn, I boost it,” says Dorian Langrené. In general, tournaments start on Friday and last all weekend. Alex’s dad assures him: “If the parents don’t get involved, it’s very complicated for the young people”.
But the little golfer says all the same that he “plays better than dad”, while giving him a knowing look. And already, the boy who is preparing to return to CM2 is also transmitting his passion. “At home, I train my little sister,” he says proudly. Golf for the Langrenes is a family affair!
The new Tiger Woods ponot?
At this age, most children do not yet know what they will do in life, but Alex is sure of it: “When I grow up, I will be a professional golfer”. And the young man does everything to make this dream come true, not hesitating to load his schedule: 4 hours of swimming per week, 8 hours of golf including 2 in private lessons and 45 minutes of running on Sunday morning. with his father.
Physical preparation is very important, because the 18-hole courses last an average of 4.5 hours. From the tenth hole, fatigue sets in and this is when physical preparation makes the difference. In addition, this year, Alex was part of the category of twelve-year-old children, “young people who are a head taller than him and who send the ball fifty meters further”, specifies Dorian Langrené.
Alex practices his swing an average of eight hours a week at Le Puy golf course. Photo Benjamine Lobier Milliat
The young hope of the sports association of the golf club still won a trophy awarded by the Departmental Olympic and Sports Committee (Cdos) this summer. In addition, he joined the regional hope center of the Golf du Gouverneur in Lyon. “It’s complicated for a child to have a sporting future in France, because nothing is suitable”, realizes his dad over time. Not enough to discourage the young ponot. Dorian Langrené hopes that his son will be able to rank among the top twenty at the Venice tournament, but the competitor intends to finish in the top ten!
And it’s really not the motivation that he lacks. When asked what he would like to do if he can’t become a professional golfer, the answer is simple and unequivocal: “I will train even more to get there”, assures Alex, frowning…
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Benjamine Lobier Milliat
