Touted as one of the most promising junior talents in Australia and with one of the most successful years of his golfing career behind him, Ricky Kato has been rewarded with one of the most prestigious awards in international golf.
Mr Byron Nelson is regarded as the finest gentlemen ever to play the game of golf and the Byron Nelson International Junior Golf awards are presented to juniors who not only are exceptional golfers, but exhibit the characteristics associated with Byron Nelson.
Ricky has seen much success in a short time. He was the youngest ever player to compete in the Sydney Major Pennants, and recently saw his first major success in the Amateur ranks, winning the 2012 Tasmanian Open. Other achievements include: 2011 Srixon International Junior Champion, at top 30 finish at the Master of the Amateurs at Royal Melbourne, a top 12 finishes at the Riversdale Cup and Lake Macquarie Amateur and reaching the semi-finals of the NSW Amateur, losing to the eventual winner, Brett Drewitt.
Ricky has also continued to be a standout away from the golf course and his behaviour off the course is one of the many reasons he has been selected for this prestigious award. Ricky has regularly helped his coach, Shuri Hines, with clinics with younger players and is a role model to others. He always competes to the best of his abilities and is very popular with other competitors because of his sportsmanship and friendly attitude.
A list of Ricky’s recent successes include:
Winner 2012 Tasmanian Open (Open National Ranking event)
Selected into National Junior Squad
Selected to represent Australia in the Toyota World Junior in Japan during June
2011 Number # 1 ranked Junior in Australia
Member of the 2011, 2012 NSW Boys State team
Member of the 2012 Mens State Team
2012 Winner Harvey Norman Week of Golf
2012 Australian Amateur Q/Finalist
