But even for his third favourite sport, Holmes excels at it.

The 16-year-old proved his all-round sporting ability on Sunday, signing his card for a personal best score of a four-under 68, beating his previous best score of 75 by seven strokes.

In drizzling and overcast conditions, the Mildura Golf Club Resort golfer finished with 45 points in Sunday’s stableford competition, ahead of Greg Rhodes who had 66 off the stick and 41 points.

Holmes was one-under par after nine holes with birdies on holes five and nine. After a par on the 354m par four 10th to start his inward nine, Holmes went on a hot-streak with birdies on 11,12, 13 and 14 to storm home in 33 strokes.

Holmes’ putter was running hot, only having 25 shots around the Mildura greens through the 18 holes.

“I usually have 30-32 putts, so that’s seven shots, and I just didn’t make any mistake which is the key to the game really,” Holmes said.

“A couple of good holes and not too many bad holes equalled a pretty good score,” he said.

Leading into Sunday, Holmes had been in solid form with 75 and 76 off the stick in his two previous rounds. Playing off a handicap of 10 before the school holidays, Holmes said some free time had allowed him to get out on the course on a regular basis.

“Around the greens I wasn’t too good but the school holidays have helped me practice around the greens and I’ve got my scores down I guess,” he said.

Despite pleas from his work at the Mildura House of Golf driving range to take up golf more seriously, Holmes, who now plays off four, said he was happy playing golf as a social sport.

“Golf has always been third, it has just sought of been a hobby really rather than an actual passion I guess,” he said.

“I don’t really take it that seriously, I get a bit hot-headed when I play but it doesn’t bother me if I don’t play well or if I play well.

“In the next couple of rounds I’ll hopefully get down to three or something but I’m not too worried if I don’t, I’m pretty happy where I am.”

Holmes said playing hockey and cricket had helped him develop a strong hand-eye coordination, the reason behind his all-round sporting ability.

This article appeared in Thursday's Sunraysia Daily 2-2-2012.