Sarasota junior golfer heads to US Kids World Championship in August

Marisa Merlino has a strong connection with Innisbrook Golf Resort. 

Merlino, who lives in Sarasota, attended the PGA Tour's 2015 Valspar Championship, held on the Palm Harbor resort's Copperhead course, with her husband, Walker Kinne. Jordan Spieth won that event at 10 under par, but that's not what Merlino remembers from the event. 

She remembers walking the course in the early stages of pregnancy, carrying a new life. She took in the sights and the sounds. Years later, the life she was carrying would make an impact on the same course. 

Liam Kinne, 9, has turned into one of the top junior golfers in the Sarasota area. After a string of second-place finishes, Kinne got his first regional tournament win at the Copperhead Classic at Innisbrook in January, sinking a birdie on the final hole to finish two under par. He played in 42-degree temperatures to do it; Kinne said the cold didn't phase him, other than making some of his shots shorter than they normally are.

The feeling of winning, however, was something else.

"It didn't feel real," Kinne said. "I was just so excited." 

The win at the Copperhead Classic has led to something of a hot streak at big events. Kinne took home the Boys 9 division of the Southeast Florida State Invitational, shooting 12 under par June 8-9 at Hammock Creek Golf Club. Kinne's finish was 10 strokes better than second-place Brayden Johnson of Jupiter. The win earned Kinne a spot at the U.S. Kids Worlds Championship, held Aug. 1-3 in Pinehurst, North Carolina.

Then, on July 8, Kinne won a local Drive, Chip and Putt qualifier for his age group at Lakewood National Golf Club. There are state and regional rounds left in that process, but if Kinne keeps doing well, he could attend the finals at Augusta National in April. 

In other words: What can't he do now?

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"It is humbling to see him grow, especially in the last couple years," Merlino said of Kinne. "The biggest thing has been his emotions. That is heard to teach at 7, 8 years old. But he has learned to get his emotions in check, which I think has helped him do better at some of these regional events." 

In the past, Kinne would have a bit of a fit if things were not going well, Merlino said. Now that he's older, those losses of control are rare. Kinne's passion for golf, and a hunger to improve, have taught him the importance of staying within himself. The more in control he is, the better he plays. It makes Merlino proud, she said. 

Kinne has a private coach — Ben Craggs of Laurel Oak Country Club, where the family has a membership — but he spends most of the time practicing with his father. They hit the course three to four days a week for two to three hours at a time. Merlino will stand by to provide snacks and sunscreen, she said. In that way, it becomes a family affair. Liam and Walker Kinne are going to play in the parent-child portion of the U.S. Kids Championship, too, working as a team to tackle the course.

The camaraderie Liam Kinne feels with his family through golf also extends to his friends. Kinne is close with 10-year-old Graham Gapin of Lakewood Ranch Country Club and 10-year-old Parker Campbell of Heritage Oaks Golf and Country Club. Gapin won the Boys 10 division of the Southeast Florida State Invitational at 9 under par, while Campbell finished top-six at the 2024 U.S. Kids Golf European Championship in May (12 over par). All three kids will train together and support each other despite golf's individual nature. 

"Playing with people is more fun," Kinne said. 

On the course, Kinne said, his driving is his best skill. Before each drive, he goes over a simple piece of advice in his head: "Just keep the ball in play." 

Avoiding mistakes can be as important as making the perfect shot, Kinne said. His wedge game has also come a long way, adding more consistency and getting the ball closer to the hole. 

Off the course, Kinne is a typical kid. Asked about his personality, Merlino could only laugh. 

"He's got lots of energy," Merlino said. "He likes to eat a lot." 

Kinne, unprompted, then added more details: Filet mignon and potatoes is his favorite dish. A meal fit for a king, or at least an up-and-coming golfer. 

At Pinehurst in August, Kinne will make a mark not just on Florida, but on the national scene. It will be his second year at the event. Last year, he had no expectations of winning, he said; he was just absorbing the experience. He "tried his best and did OK," he said. This year, after his recent wins, he's taking things more seriously. But he also remembers the growth he has made. 

"I'm not going to get too mad if something bad happens," Kinne said. "I just want to have fun."