The professional who's worked with the Border's best juniors of the past 25 years has handed Albury's Sam Bakes the ultimate compliment.
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"He's the equal of anyone I've coached at the same age," John Rogers said.
It's an incredible comment given the highly respected coach has mentored former world number 51 Marcus Fraser, current European Tour member Zach Murray and another boom teenager Daniel Gill.
"He's 14 years of age and he's good enough to play with the best, he hits the ball long enough, he's very strong," Rogers said.
"I'd like to think he would possibly be playing the Australian Open in two years time.
"Let me tell you he's keen."
Bakes started the New Year in style on Wednesday, landing his first hole-in-one at the par-three, 136m fourth at Commercial Golf Resort Albury.
"There was no wind, I used a nine iron and hit a little draw, but we didn't really see it (the flag is behind a bunker), so when we got up there, it was pretty cool," he said.
As a plus three handicapper, Bakes doesn't get a shot on the course's easiest hole so, despite snaring every golfer's dream, he scored only three stableford points.
It continues a dream run for the year nine student after he landed his finest win in the Junior Victorian Open last month.
Bakes won his under 16 age group and finished 13th overall with a three-over par at Barwon Heads and 13th Beach Golf Club.
"I think my patience was good and I wasn't forcing anything," he said.
In claiming his win, Bakes also showed a trait that all sportspeople must possess, the ability to step up in class.
"He'd been playing quite well around here and he hasn't been able to perform away from home, I remember when Daniel Gill and Zach Murray did that, it's a lot harder going from your own course that you know very well," Rogers said.
"But it's no different when you're away, if the hole's 150m, it's the same as home so what you have to do is hit that same shot."
Bakes has naturally taken confidence from the win after working hard on improving his game, particularly on the road.
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"I worked out why I wasn't going that well is because I didn't have enough shots, so I worked hard on my shape shots," he said.
"I've been practicing a draw, fade, hitting it low, hitting it high and that helped."
The right-hander is well known for his work ethic.
"He's a very good listener and what I ask him to do, he does," Rogers said.
"With all the kids I've coached that have done very well, they've been coached on a weekly basis.
"If you talk to the Fraser boys (Marcus and Adam) they'd say I was out there with them nearly every day."
