Growing Up Golfers: Murrieta Brothers Staying On Course
Brothers Joshua and Jacob Sorensen are living their best lives on the greens of Southwest Riverside County.
MURRIETA, CA — Joshua Sorensen, 8, knew before the ball rolled into the hole that it would be a hole-in-one.
"What I tell ya?" he said confidently, hopping from the boulder and chasing after the still-rolling ball as it sank into the cup.
The day before, older brother Jacob Sorensen, 9, did a trick shot off a rock.
Is it sibling rivalry or are they just upping each other's game?
It's all just par for the course for the Rancho Springs Charter School third- and fourth-graders, according to their uncle Eric Sorensen.
"Joshua always looks for the most difficult ball placement," he told Patch. "He's always challenging himself."
The shot from the large rock was a dreaded downhill chip that he is intent on mastering.
The brothers are now both on the PGA Junior League team, but it's taken a few years to get here.
They learned the fundamentals of the game during the pandemic in 2020. With everything closed the greens were wide open, according to their uncle.
"It seemed like a good way to get outside, get some fresh air and exercise for two energetic boys and their older sisters," he said.
A current cinematographer and former professional surfer in his own right, Eric Sorensen wanted the kids to understand the fundamentals of the game first.
Then, he took them out to the driving range at the Golf Club at Rancho California in Murrieta. As they grew in promise, he found coach Eric Meichtry of Murrieta.
Meichtry built up their mechanics and encouraged them to join the PGA Junior League.
Now, with a love of cinematography and his nephews, Eric Sorensen is photo-documenting their journey as they grow up playing the game.
When not in school they can be found at the course or practicing difficult shots in their backyard.
"(Joshua) sunk a 15-footer put on one of his first tries," he said. Two years later, playing golf is all the brothers want to do and that hard work is paying off.
Joshua won his first-ever Drive Chip and Putt event at the Victoria Club in Riverside in 2022, according to Eric Sorensen.
Both brothers have focus and confidence on the course. They have a coach who believes in them and a drive for competition. Playing at a higher level is the goal, but mostly it's about being outside and having fun together, he says.
"They're still kids. They have fun, play, go camping or run at the beach, but they always bring their clubs," he said. "They wake me up and ask if they can go to the course."
