Jaxon Callon has a good story to tell when he starts first grade at Foothill School near Goleta.
If the teacher asks the class what interesting things they did during summer vacation, Jaxon can say he won a world championship in golf.
Really.
The eldest son of Ben and Nikki Callon of Santa Barbara captured the 6-under division title at the U.S. Kids Golf World Championships at the Midland Country Club in Pinehurst, North Carolina, last week.
The tournament featured boys and girls ages 6-12 from around the world.
Jaxon shot a 5-under par 103 for 27 holes played over three rounds, and won by two strokes. He overtook Houston’s Bradley Ferguson, who was the leader in the first two rounds.
Jaxon was the only player in the international field of 70 golfers to shoot under par in each round — a 1-under 34 on the first day and 2-under 33 on the second and third days. Ferguson carded 33s for the first two rounds and a 39 on the final day.
“He was extremely happy to just win the tournament and only realized he was leading on his approach shot on hole No. 9,” said his father of Jaxon’s accomplishment. “I think the magnitude of it came when he saw the awards ceremony with over 1,000 people and he was on stage being asked to make a speech.
“The next day he went to Pinehurst and people asked to take pictures with him, so he has started to understand a little more. He’s still just a little 6-year-old who likes to have fun but loves to win in anything he plays, especially golf.”
Jaxon’s interest in playing golf started when he was 2 1/2.
“We went to a PGA superstore, and we couldn’t leave because he wanted to keep putting the ball on the practice green,” said Ben.
“He plays every day and wants to constantly play and practice. He is extremely driven and competitive.”
Jaxon and his 4-year-old brother, Cruz, have athletic parents, who both hail from England.
Ben grew up playing soccer. He came to the U.S. for college and played on a NAIA national championship team at the University of Rio Grande of Ohio in 2003.
Nikki played NCAA Division 1 basketball at Tulane University, and went on to represent Team Great Britain in international competitions.
Jaxon also enjoys playing those sports.
Ben, who carries a 14 handicap, says he and Jaxon play golf a couple times a week at La Cumbre Country Club. The kid also is a member at Twin Lakes.
He had to qualify for the World Championships by winning U.S Kids tournaments in Los Angeles and Monterey and shooting scores that allowed him to compete with the best players throughout the world in his age group.