Sports

11-Year-Old Valrico Golf Phenom To Hone Skills At Bradenton Academy

Latanna Stone garnered national attention in 2012 when she qualified for the U.S. Women's Amateur as a 10-year-old.

Up until now, 11-year-old golf phenom Latanna Stone could only get in a couple of hours of golf practice each day. 

But now the River Hills resident will be able to devote all her free time to honing her golf skills. 

IMG Academy announced that Stone has enrolled at the Bradenton prep school. 

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Stone garnered national attention in 2012 when she qualified for the U.S. Women’s Amateur as a 10-year-old, in addition to having captured more than 100 wins in her young career, according to the Florida State Golf Association.

The daughter of Mike and Yuen Stone, Stone began golfing at age 2 after demonstrating a natural affinity for the sport.

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Home-schooled up until now, Stone said she's looking forward to honing her skills as well as focusing on academics at IMG Academy.

“I like it here, and I think it can really help me do more in my golf game," said Stone. "I really want to step up my game…and I like it because I’m around other kids doing the same.”

“Seeing Latanna play reminds me of a young Paula Creamer, and it’s great to welcome a player with her ability because she has the potential to go as far as she wants to with golf,” remarked David Whelan, director of golf at IMG Academy. “I’m especially excited about how Latanna, with her confidence and positive attitude, will be able to lead by example and push other players in the program to be their best, while they help bring out the best in her along the way.”

Stone is one of the most accomplished junior golfers in the nation. At the time she qualified for the U.S. Women’s Amateur, Stone was the third-youngest qualifier in USGA history, following Allisen Corpuz in 2008 and Michelle Wie in 2000. 

Stone is currently ranked as the No. 1 overall prospect for the Class of 2019 by the National Junior Golf Scoreboard.

“I knew that she needed more than just two hours practicing after school,” said Yuen Stone, Stone's mother. “We see the raw talent she has, and we want her to go to the next level, and that’s what she wants, so IMG Academy was it - it was the answer.”

“It’s cool because I see all these other kids and teenagers trying to do their best, and they’re all out there every single day, so it pushes me to step my game up even further,” said Stone. “I had a social life before coming here, but I’m definitely going to have much more of a social life here, so I’m trying to interact with everyone and get to know everybody.” - 

The IMG Academy golf program is under the direction of David Whelan, who has nearly 30 years of coaching experience. Whelan is joined by a staff of coaches who average more than a decade of coaching tenure each, and possess extensive collegiate and professional playing experience. 

Notable students who have been coached by Whelan and his staff since his arrival at IMG Academy in 2003 include: LPGA Tour players Paula Creamer, Mika Miyazato, Jessica Korda, Ginger Howard, Jodi Ewart and Aree and Naree Song; PGA Tour and European Tour players Casey Wittenberg and Emiliano Grillo; and top-ranked NCAA players Cheng-Tsung Pan and Peter Uihlein. 

During the 2012-13 season, IMG Academy student-athletes won more than 60 events, and saw three players earn Rolex Junior All-American honors (James Yoon, Rigel Fernandes and Jordan Lippetz).

IMG Academy annually attracts nearly 200,000 athletes, coaches, event participants and spectators from 100 countries. 

In addition to its boarding preparatory school, the prep school offers sports camps and training programs for adult, collegiate and professional athletes. IMG Academy is also the host venue for international amateur and professional sporting events.


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