THE name Spitty is becoming synonymous with the word golf in the Mallee.
That connection is likely to last long into the future with dad Andrew guiding his daughters to golfing success and providing opportunities for them to go as far as their potential takes them.
Fifteen-year-old Olive has had her name splashed across the media for some time, having taken out multiple golf championships in the region and beyond.
But it’s 11-year old Mabel who is the newest golfer in the family to be hitting her way into the spotlight.
Andrew was raised in Mildura and said he “pretty much stumbled into golf” at age 14.
“There were a few golf clinics on and I went along for something to do, I never had a serious interest before that,” he said.
“I was probably just a fairly good junior golfer, and later life got busy and in the way of my golf.
“I never really aimed for a professional golf career.”
Andrew studied in Bendigo and in 2011 moved to Lake Charm, where his wife was from, and the pair now have four daughters.
Eldest daughter Olive was introduced to golf much earlier than her dad, spending time with him riding around the golf course in the buggy.
She got her handicap at age seven, while Mabel achieved hers at six.
Andrew has now won the Kerang Club Championship 10 times, having taken out this year’s tournament last weekend in convincing style.
Olive has also won 10 championships, five with Kerang, three with Murray Downs and two with the Commonwealth Golf Club in Melbourne, where she was the youngest female to ever claim the prestigious title in 2022 at age 12.
While she has her sights on a golfing future, she still considers Kerang her home course, and looks up to Australian golf pros Hannah Green and Minjee Lee.
While studying at Mary Mackillop College in Swan Hill, Olive has played in the Secondary School State Team and is often jet-setting around the world as her dedicated family support her to fulfil her golfing dream.
“She would like a career in golf and plans to apply to colleges in the US where she can continue her studies while representing the college in golf,” Andrew said.
“She played in a series of events in California and North Carolina in the US where she did well.”
She placed 5th in the 13-14 girls in 2023 in the FCG Callaway World Championships at Palm Springs, an elite event where she got a taste of high-level competition.
But some of her toughest competition is coming from a lot closer to home as younger sister Mabel chips her way towards her own golfing future.
“Mabel and Olive have a healthy competitive relationship on the golf course,” Andrew said.
“They push each to keep improving and that’s good for both of them.
“Mabel is pretty keen to pursue her golf and having Olive to look up to has really helped her.”
The family have visited the US on a number of occasions and Andrew said his two other daughters are also talented at sport, with a focus on basketball and netball.
“We all travel together to support all the girls’ sporting endeavours and it does take a large commitment, but we also view it as valuable family time and feel very lucky to be able to travel to different places,” Andrew said.
Although modest, Andrew has no plans of slowing his own golfing ambitions any time soon either.
“I was planning to try to qualify for the Murray Downs NSW Open but the girls were playing in events so it didn’t happen for me this time,” he said.
“I am planning to get out there to see Cam Smith play and will be trying to fit it in with a pretty busy schedule that week.
“Mabel and I are heading to Wollongong for Mabel to represent Victoria in the National Primary Schools Championships, but we will be back Thursday and hopefully watch Cam play Friday.
“Then we are off to Melbourne on Saturday where Olive will compete in the Commonwealth Club Championship, and beyond that, we have a pretty busy summer schedule.”
In their downtime, the family will continue to live in Lake Charm and work on their respective skills and education until the time comes when each of the Spitty children fly the nest.
Where that flight takes them remains to be seen but the sky is certainly the limit.
