Benalla golf prodigy Lucas Hales lighting up local arena

By James Kleeman

Jul 19, 2022

Sport is very much a year-round commitment for Benalla’s Lucas Hales.

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Whether he’s ironing out his swing at Benalla Golf Club or refining his cover drive in the nets, Lucas’s commitment to his craft cannot be faulted.

The Benalla golf and cricketing prodigy is going from strength to strength on his local circuit and beyond, recently competing at the Junior Murray Masters Golf Tournament in Cobram, Tocumwal and Yarrawonga, placing 32nd overall and second in the boys’ category.

But this event is but one on a long list of sporting achievements and endeavours for the 15-year-old.

When he’s not out on the green in the winter months, Lucas is pulling on the wicketkeeping gloves for Victoria Premier Cricket League club Fitzroy-Doncaster, competing in the club’s open-age fourth XI side over summer.

Accounting for himself well after being called up to the club’s under 17s Dowling Shield outfit last season, Lucas hopes to continue his rise up the ranks at the Lions.

“I love it down in Fitzroy, it’s awesome; the atmosphere and the people down there,” he said.

“I’m really enjoying it, in the Dowling last year I went all right and won a couple player-of-the-round awards.”

Prodigal son: Lucas has accounted for himself well in Fitzroy Lions’ fourths. Photo by James Kleeman

Not overawed by playing in one of the state’s premier cricket competitions, in a team of players of varying ages — the young gun’s cricketing future is looking very bright.

With a golf club in hand, the Benalla young gun is just as handy, a B-grade championship win and strong performance in the Founders Cup some strong credentials to his name.

Lucas said his father, Matt, and grandfather were to thank for his entry into the golfing arena, with long stints in his grandfather’s backyard a catalyst for his early love of the game.

“He used to play a lot, he’s got a few acres on the outskirts of town, I used to chip around with him in the backyard,” Lucas said.

“We’d come out to the club on Tuesday nights, we’d have a few holes and I started to really enjoy it.”

The ‘mental battle’ of golf is what Lucas enjoys the most, he says, and navigating a way through that is what fuels his desire to get better.

“I really enjoy the challenge,” he said.

“You’re always trying to challenge yourself to get better, it’s only you — you against the course, you don’t need to worry about anyone else.

“It gets challenging at times, it can be a real mental battle, you’ve got to block out the bad holes and just concentrate on the next one.”

Never one to shy away from a challenge, Lucas said expanding his game and competing in events in Melbourne and around Australia was the goal in the not-too-distant future.

“Playing in more tournaments and competitions outside Benalla would be lovely,” he said.

“I’m keen on moving up the junior ranks and keen on getting that handicap down.“