Fifteen-year-old Nathan Brader, born in Scarborough and resident in the Algarve since 2008, recently played in the prestigious Daily Telegraph BMW Junior Golf Championship staged at the Quinta do Lago South course. The youngsters played 54 holes in separate divisions of 12 boys and nine girls aged 15-18, the cream of UK junior golf. Nathan, who led by four shots after rounds of 68 and 70 gross, was overtaken by Ashton Turner late in the final round but still ended in a respectable tie for 2nd, his career highlight so far.
Encouraged early to play golf, Nathan, who already plays off a +1.3 handicap, started hitting balls aged four and, with his parents’ blessing, later joined the Snainton Golf Centre. When he was seven, he graduated to Sandburn Hall near York and was taught by Yorkshire boys coach Steve Robinson who still works with him in the UK.
He frequents the Vilamoura GC junior school where he receives tuition from Joaquim Sequeira, and was a member of this club’s team that won the 2013 Portuguese Club championship at Belas GC, Lisbon. His performance earned him a place on the team to contest the European Club Trophy which started on October 23 at the Aroeira I course.
Nathan likes to socialise and relax with friends as well as swimming and working out in the gym. With his prodigious success he aims to make a living from golf, initially obtaining the 3-level teaching certification as a back-up in case he does not achieve his ultimate goal of becomig a successful pro golfer.
He now works part-time at the Quinta do Lago academy, where he learns all aspects of the golfing industry and appreciates having this opportunity and support for his golfing career. Nathan is also thankful for the continued coaching and help from Steve Robinson and Joaquim Sequeira. John Russell
