Written By Jeffrey Reed
To define Glencoe golfer Hunter Talbot as a one-dimensional athlete would greatly underestimate the talents of this 18-year-old overachiever. In fact, the winner of this year’s Lambton Junior Golf Tour (LJGT) Boys U19 championship stars both in sports and in life.
A Strathroy District Collegiate Institute graduate, Talbot prefers to stay out of the limelight and let his actions speak louder than words. Those around him recognize him as a quiet leader who sets an example through an unparalleled work ethic.
Talbot, also a past winner on the Junior Tyson Tour golf circuit, is attending a specialized trades school while working towards his apprenticeship. He’ll attend the highly-regarded HVAC two-year program at Conestoga College beginning this January. No doubt, Talbot is using his life’s lessons learned on the golf course as he prepares for his future career.
Yet, perhaps it is Talbot’s off-course work ethic that has allowed him to star not only in golf but in a number of competitive sports.
A member of Wardsville Golf Club, Talbot began golfing competitively at age 13 on the Tyson Tour and has seen recent success under the tutelage of Keegan Knight, assistant pro at London’s Sunningdale Golf & Country Club. He has also found success at Canadian Junior Golf Association, Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour, Optimist Club, high school and Ontario Summer Games golf tournaments.
When he put down his golf clubs, the all-around athlete has found time around part-time jobs and homework to play minor hockey with East Lambton Minor Hockey Association, as well as high school hockey and volleyball. Talbot is also a competitive badminton player, has competed in track and field in long jump and triple jump, and now enjoys ultimate frisbee competition.
“When I was younger, I played baseball but I stopped playing when I got into golf,” he said. “If I had to pick one favourite sport, it would be golf. It’s what I’m best at. And there’s a lot more to it, being an individual sport. You can be all by yourself if you want to. With hockey, you’re with a lot of people and you get all hyped up. They are two very different worlds.”
Talbot said he is most definitely the “athlete in the family,” and that “since elementary school, if there was a sports team for me to join, I signed up.” Come January, Talbot will continue his multi-sport involvement as he eyes making teams with the Conestoga Condors.
When so many of our youth are glued to screens 24/7, it’s great to see someone like Talbot excel in sports and in life. His work ethic will go a long way in seeing him succeed, whether that’s in sports or as a skilled tradesperson.
Here’s betting he’ll find success on both stages.
Award-winning writer Jeffrey Reed has covered Middlesex County sports since 1980. He is publisher and editor of
LondonOntarioSports.com. Reach him at
jeff@londonontariosports.com.
