A HANKERING FOR PAR 3's AT TENDER AGE OF 5

At 2-years-old, Eric Hayes started "messing" with his dad's golf clubs.

When Eric, the son of Rocky and Ann Hayes of Cape Girardeau, was three he started making trips with his dad to the golf course. At four, he was a regular golf partner.

Now just five-years-old, Eric is coming off a sixth-place finish out of 50 golfers ages 3-5 during the Pepsi Little People's Golf Championships in Quincy, Ill. this past June.

Eric carded a 39 over eight holes on the KC Par 3 course, shooting a 20 over the first four holes on the first day of competition and 19 on the final four holes of the two-day event. It was the second year Eric competed in the event.

"It was neat for the kids because all the holes are short," said Rocky of the par-3 course. "The holes aren't quite so long and intimidating."

The Little People's Golf Championship is one of the largest and most prestigious junior golf tournaments in the world. This year's tournament featured 856 youths ages three to 17 from over 40 states, three Canadian provinces, Guam, India and the Bahamas.

The two younger age groups (3-5 and 6-7) used the par-3 course, which has become like a second golf course to Eric because his mother's family is from the Quincy area.

"We play that course when we visit," Rocky said. "I wish Cape had a par-3 course."

Until that happens, the Cape Jaycees golf course is Eric's primary place to practice. Eric and his dad play about once a week in the summer. Rocky said Eric can drive the ball over 100 yards, but normally hits about 85-90 off the tee box.

"He hits his driver pretty straight," said Rocky.

As with most young golfers, Tiger Woods is Eric's favorite player. Due largely to Woods' success, Eric actually likes to watch golf on television. But as his dad points out jokingly, "He was playing before Tiger Woods (was popular)."

At the tender age of 2, Eric surely didn't know who Tiger Woods was. But that's when Rocky first noticed his son's interest in golf.

"He started messing around with my clubs at 2," Rocky said. "I play a little golf and, I guess he tried to mimic me. So I got him a little starter set.

"He's been going out with me to the course since he was 3 and I'd let him hit a few shots here and there. When he was 4, I got him a starter set (of golf clubs) and let him hit and play regularly. We've been going to the course for about two years now.

But golf isn't Eric's only activity. He also plays organized soccer and started his first year of baseball this summer, which has taken some time away from his golf playing.

"He's pretty active," Rocky said. "I hope he continues to play golf, but who knows?"

In conjunction with the youth tournament, Eric had the opportunity to attend a golf clinic conducted by PGA stars Payne Stewart, Justin Leonard and D.A. Weibring. The clinic was part of the annual Weibring Golf Charity.