Today, tomorrow, learn English naturally. 天天自然学英语
Kiwis ‘chip in’ to help autistic boy Bayleigh Teepa-Tarau who claimed golf title after only playing three rounds - ever
New Zealanders are chipping in to help the 12-year-old autistic schoolboy from a small rural town in the Bay of Plenty after he won his first golf title last week in borrowed clubs and basketball boots.
Bayleigh Teepa-Tarau is the new champion of the nine-hole golf competition at the national Zespri Aims Games held in Tauranga, a feat he accomplished after playing only three rounds of golf previously.
With a flurry of thunderous drives, spot-on iron shots and a beaming smile, he accumulated an astounding 87 Stableford points from his three nine-hole rounds.
Bayleigh also has autism; until recently, he spent most of his time in class under his desk, not speaking.
“The thing I love about golf is hitting my driver,” Bayleigh told Golf NZ.
“I dreamed about coming here and finishing in first place. And I had a lot of fun.”
He had only played three rounds of golf before the competition, and his small township of Tāneatua doesn’t even have a golf course. Bayleigh additionally assisted his schoolmates Lincoln Reritito and Pedro Robinson in securing the team title.
After word of Bayleigh’s impressive feat spread like wildfire through the Eastern Bay of Plenty and across the country, many people were inspired by his story.
Local business Waiotahi Contractors bought the up-and-comer a set of clubs of his own.
“Waiotahi are thrilled to be able to help him on his journey! He is truly inspirational!” the company shared on its social media pages.
Locals commented on the post, claiming Bayleigh’s story “brought tears to their eyes”.
A Givealittle page has also been set up for Bayleigh, for people wishing to support him in his golfing endeavours.
“Let’s make sure that next time he hits the green, he’s got his own clubs and help raise some money to get him some coaching so he can pursue his passion,” it says.
“Golf’s an expensive sport so let’s help give Bayleigh a boost so he can pursue his dream.”
“Who knows? He could be our greatest golfer yet.”
His parents, Hemi Tarau and Pare Teepa, as well as his grandfather and nan, were beaming with pride as they followed him around the course during the games.
“Oh, I’m so proud of him,” Bayleigh’s dad Tarau told Golf NZ.
“I’m surprised at how well he did because of his autism, but then I’m not surprised. He wasn’t really a sports kid a few years ago but he’s just got right into it now and it has done amazing things for his confidence.”
Bayleigh’s dad suspects there’s something in the autism spectrum disorder that could be perfectly suited for the temperament of golf.
“It doesn’t really fluster him too much if he does a bad shot. He just likes hitting, so he really doesn’t care. And he doesn’t know how good he is - although he’s getting told a lot about that in the last couple of days.”
Teacher-aide Whetu Wiremu, supported Bayleigh throughout his three days on the course but said their journey together started long before then.
When Wiremu realized that Bayleigh had been swinging a stick since he was able to walk, he made the decision to formally introduce the youngster to golf.
“He never used to even talk to anyone,” Wiremu told Golf NZ.
“I’ve done heaps of work with him for the last couple of years just to get him out of his shell and into sport and I just treated him like I treated all the other kids.”
Bayleigh’s next move is to consider participating in the Special Olympics. In that regard, he has high expectations to live up to because Mitch Brown, a Kiwi golfer from Great Barrier Island, defeated athletes from all over the world to win the gold medal at this year’s Special Olympics in Berlin, Germany.
注释：
autistic: adj
表示" 自闭的"，means "characteristic of or affected with autism"，如：The movie stars Dustin Hoffman as an autistic man. 这部电影由达斯汀·霍夫曼主演一个自闭的人。
flurry: n; v
1. n表示"忙乱;一阵疾风,阵雪"，means "a rapid active commotion; a light brief snowfall and gust of wind (or something resembling that)"，如：I'm always in a flurry as deadlines get nearer.一接近最后期限我就忙乱不堪.
2. v表示" 发慌；焦躁"，means "cause to feel embarrassment"，如：A flurry of wind upset the small sailboat.一阵疾风吹翻了小帆船。
beam: v; n
1. v表示" 播送；发射；眉开眼笑"，means "broadcast (a message, radio programme etc.) in a particular direction; smile happily and cheerfully"，如：This is a programme beamed at Japan.这是对日本广播的节目。His face(He) is beaming with delight.他高兴得笑容满面。
2. n表示"定向无线电波; 光线; 光束"，means "radio waves sent out along a narrow path in one direction only"，如：A rotary table helps to optimize the beam incidence angle.一张旋转的桌子有助于将光线影响之方式角最佳化。
fluster: v; n
表示"慌张；混乱"，means "cause to be nervous or upset"，如：People fluster ground leaves ship, the woman went up above all with children Immanuel gives birth to a boat.人们慌乱地离开轮船，妇女和儿童首先上了救世主生船。
中文简要说明：
俗话说，当上帝为你关上一扇门，同时也会打开一扇窗。在新西兰日前举行的全国初中联会运动会上，这句话获得验证，一名年仅12岁、患有自闭症的乡下男孩，夺下了高尔夫球项目的冠军。令人吃惊的是，他这一辈子只打过3回合高尔夫球，凭着天分一鸣惊人，成为新西兰高球界的明日之星。
《新西兰先驱报》报导，当地最近出现一位高球界新星，是年仅12岁的贝利（Bayleigh Teepa-Tarau）。他穿着篮球鞋，挥舞着借来的球杆，在本月举行的全国初中联会运动会（Association of Intermediate and Middle Schools, AIMS Games）上大放异彩，3回合9洞的比赛中，以总成绩87分的表现勇夺男子组个人金牌。
不仅如此，贝利还出战团体赛，帮助学校再添一金。AIMS是大洋洲规模最大的青少年运动赛事之一，而他2个星期前才加入学校的高球训练。
教练表示，贝利从小就常做挥杆动作，他知道后，便介绍他认识高尔夫球，尽管他完全不懂得个中技巧，「他所做的就是站起来，把球打出去。」
贝利的父亲则认为，或许是因为自闭症的缘故，才让儿子爱上重复挥杆的动作；也因为这股单纯的热情，让他从来不烦恼自己的表现，「就算打得不好，他也不会紧张，他只是喜欢打球。」
自闭症男孩创造奇迹的消息传开后，不少人表示大受感动，有地方企业立刻捐出球杆供他使用，也有民众为他成立募款网页，希望男孩的追梦之旅可以走得更远、更顺遂，「搞不好他会成为最棒的高球选手，谁知道呢」支持民众说.
留言微信公众号《自然学英语LearnNaturally》，可咨询更多！