Just six years ago, 11-year-old Haley Vargas and 9-year-old Logan Vargas were some of the best gold players for their age group in the world, ranked in the top 65.
Six years later, they are still swinging away to make it to the top.
“We usually work out three times a week in the mornings before school. It’s all just working out, going to school, coming to the course, practice, go home and then go to sleep,” said Haley.
The duo hits the green almost every day, preparing for their upcoming national tournaments this summer. The competition between each other helps them improve.
“He is in the boys’ game, and the boys’ game is a lot harder and rough. If I beat him, I get pretty happy, but I just try to stick around his score and usually that will help me beat the girls I play,” said Haley.
Haley is ranked within the top 10 in Texas. However, medical issues impacted Logan’s ability to play for two years, setting him back in the rankings.
“I did have hip surgery and I was out for a year and then I got cleared and then I had a bone disease in my knee, which held me back for another year. Then it was just getting back from there,” said Logan.
However, tournaments this summer will help put them back in the ranks, he said.
Their father taught them from a young age, and to this day inspires them to be the best they can be, the duo said.
“My dad always says play for yourself, and I’ve always played for myself, not for anyone else’s approval,” said Haley.
When it’s time to have some fun, their family knows just the way.
“We have a family tournament. All of our uncles and everyone plays in it, so it’s a lot of fun. It’s just a family hobby that we always take part in. We love it so much that it brings us joy and happiness,” said Haley.