Hanging out for a golfing cult hero to follow? Then rising Australian star Jack Wilson is your man.
Wilson has a grand plan to make golf cool again, and it involves dreadlocks, a beard and a funky hat.
The 24-year-old shot to prominence last year when he finished third behind Adam Scott and Rickie Fowler at the Australian PGA Championship.
Scott was so impressed with Wilson’s performance that he later declared: “We might be looking at one of the next great players from Australia”.
Wilson hopes to gain a card for either the European Tour or US PGA Tour in the coming months, and there’s no doubt he will be remembered once he hits the scene.
The little-known Victorian is passionate about raising the profile of golf, especially amongst the kids.
And with the movie Happy Gilmore one of his all-time favourites, Wilson has conjured up his own plan to get more people interested in the sport.
“Golf tends to get a reputation amongst some people about being a bit snobby at times,” Wilson said.
“But we have awesome guys here. We are not like that at all.
“I just think it would be pretty cool to change the way golf’s looked at.
“I’ve never seen a guy out there with dreadlocks. It’s something I always wanted as a kid.
“I reckon I’ve got another six months before I’m at dreadlock length.
“And a beard goes hand-in-hand with dreadlocks.
“Hopefully I don’t get referred to as the caddie who is picked up off the street on Happy Gilmore though.”
Miguel Angel Jimnez is widely regarded as the most interesting man in golf.
The cigar-puffing Spaniard boasts a warm-up routine that would leave even cricket great Merv Hughes in awe, while his trademark ponytail, aviator sunglasses, and fine taste in shoes makes him a crowd favourite.
Wilson is nowhere near that level yet, but he has plenty of time to catch up to the 50-year-old.
In Wilson’s eyes, golf can be both fun and serious at the same time.
“A lot of people have said that having dreadlocks is not very professional, but I feel like I could portray the professionalism in other ways,” Wilson said.
“Ricky Fowler’s sporting the long hair. He’s a cool character and wears a lot of bright clothing.
“And the amount of an impact he’s had on junior golf has been incredible.
“I think that sort of profile is working. I might be able to take it to another level and put an Australian spin on it.”
Wilson was training up to become a golf coach when he shocked the field to win last year’s WA PGA Championship.
The victory marked the start of an amazing summer for Wilson, and he’s hoping it will be a case of deja vu this week when he attempts to defend his crown in Kalgoorlie, starting Thursday.
