He was searching for an activity that would allow him to spend time outdoors within the pandemic guidelines.
Having enjoyed a few games with his dad Paul on the Deni Golf Course as a primary school student years earlier, it seemed like a great option.
What started as a way to pass time has since become a serious pursuit for the now 15 year-old.
His game is improving to a point where he’s besting golfers many years his senior on the local golf course.
And later this week he will travel to Sydney to participate in the NSW Country Junior Invitational at The Vintage Golf Club in the Hunter Valley.
He was put forward for the tournament by Deniliquin Golf Club secretary/manager Kathy Simpson.
“I’ve been playing competition golf for 12 months or a little more now,” Oscar said.
“I played a little with my dad when I was seven or eight, but it really started when we went into lockdown in Deni.
“I wanted to be able to go outside without getting COVID.
“When I first starting coming down it was with a club I had bought from the op shop near our house.
“Leigh Chappell was down here (at the course) and he gave me my first set of clubs and showed me the basics on my swing and the ettiquette of golf.
“I then played my first competition round with him.”
Oscar said he’s had a lot of support and guidance from Chappell and the other members at the Deniliquin Golf Club, and says his growth in the sport - and as a person - is as much down to them as his dedication.
“Everyone has done their fair share to get me to where I am today, but particularly Leigh Chappell, Kathy Simpson, Matt Thomas and Jody Fleming,” he said.
“And definitely being down here (at the club), my social skills have improved a lot too.”
Oscar, who has a handicap of 15, says his best round of golf so far is an 82 on the par 72 Deniliquin course.
That was about three weeks ago, not long after he achieved a hole-in-one on the par three 9th hole.
In 2024, he intends to push himself in golfing on a much grander scale.
Having only played on three other courses than Deniliquin before now, it will see him travelling the region and participating in junior tournaments throughout the year.
He started with a junior competition in Howlong on Sunday, and will follow up with Yarrawonga in February.
“And there’s at least 10 more throughout the year,” said Oscar.
The NSW Country Junior Invitational - which begins Sunday and concludes Tuesday - offered only 72 places to young golfers from all over NSW.
The competition will be played on a Greg Norman designed 18-hole championship golf course that is challenging, engaging and welcoming in equal parts.
To ensure he is competition ready for the invitational and the rest of the year, Oscar is taking a few extra lessons with Pro Golfing Association member and instructor Jody Fleming.
Oscar met Fleming when she was at the Deni Golf Club. She has since relocated to Echuca, which means trips across to Rich River.
While it is still early days yet, Oscar said his goal is to remain involved with golf for the long term.
“Becoming a professional golfer is always something I will aspire too, but it is very difficult and competitive to do that,” he said.
“I know I want a job that revolves around golf though.
“Maybe a greenskeeper or an instructor.”
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