Michigan Golf Journal April 2021

country of his mother, Prapaiphan, who was quite the tennis player in her day. “We’ve traveled to see them play (recently at the LPGA Gainbridge in Orlando) and they stay at our house in Ann Arbor,” said Nemo’s father, Paul. “They tease us that we’re the Halfway House for the LPGA Tour.” Nemo said his Godparents provide tips, and actually push him fairly hard to succeed. “I’m very grateful to them,” Nemo said. “It’s cool, and it works out because I play golf too.” He said the Jutanugarn sisters have not asked him for any golfing tips yet; but he added with a laugh: “I’ll try to convince them of that.” Notable wins in Nemo’s short career to date include: • August 2019: Canadian Invitational Legends of Niagara, Boys 9 (4-under par, won by 9 shots) • June 2020: Ohio State Invitational Avalon Lakes, Boys 10 • June 2020: Red White Blue Invitational Pinehurst #1, Boys 10 • December 2020: Holiday Classic 2020 Regional PGA Village, Boys 11 • February 2021: Florida Junior Tour Ocala Open Boys 11-12. Shot final round 65, for a new Florida Junior Tour record for Boys 11-12 • He also had runner up finishes at the Palm Springs Open at Mission Hills, the PGA Golf Club Invitational (twice, at ages 10 and 11) and the World Championship Pinehurst Legacy • Nemo also gets invites to the IMG Junior Worlds at Torrey Pines North, where he finished 6th in boys 9-10 in 2019 (no event in 2020). • He also won the Driving category of the Drive, Chip and Putt Regionals in the fall of 2019 at Oakland Hills, but took 2 nd overall, coming oh-so close to an Augusta National trip this month. “I do realize how spoiled I am to play these great courses,” Nemo said. “It’s a main reason I love traveling, because I get to go to these iconic golf courses to compete. It’s a lot of fun; and with my dad on the bag, it’s great spending that time with him.” So far, all his interests keep everything in the family. MGJ Kid Dynamite