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Ten-year-old Kyle Spencer is slated to play in over 60 tournaments this year.

His resume consists of 16 championships in 2008 alone and he’s slated to play in over 60 tournaments this year.

That’s quite the sizable schedule—for a 10-year-old.

“I go to school, do what I need to do, get my homework done, and work on my game,” said Spencer who dedicates at least an hour a day on weekdays to improving his game.

That number increases on weekends.

“Typically I practice for 2-3 hours on the weekends,” said the soon-to-be fifth grader at Belle Hall Elementary.

Spencer had a club in hand at  the age of 2 when he started playing at Charleston National in Mount Pleasant.

By 4, he was taking lessons with his current coach Scott Rosenthal, the director of golf at Charleston National.

Soon after, he was playing competitively.

In 10 days, Spencer will be competing in the Press Thornton Future Masters Golf Tournament, which will be played June 20-27 in Dothan, Ala.

Accompanying him will be a familiar face—his grandmother.

But she won’t be watching from the stands.

Mary Ann Snyder has been following her grandson from day one, as his teacher, and caddie.

“It’s a grandparents dream to do what I am doing. I enjoy it so much, it’s amazing,”  she said.

And grandma got some game herself.

She played as an amateur at Indiana and is currently a teaching professional at Charleston National.

“She inspired me to play golf. To have a family member be able to come out with you everyday and play golf is just incredible. We have so much fun together; she’s such a great teacher and I have learned a great deal from her and will continue to do so,” Spencer said.

Snyder recalls the time she knew her grandson possessed that special quality.

“I remember when he was 2 years old hitting balls in the back yard. He was kind of a natural. I worked with him from that point and from there golf became his passion,” she said.

But it wasn’t until years later Spencer knew for sure golf was what he really wanted to do with his life.

“When I was 5, I started getting pretty good. I liked golf, but I wasn’t sure if it was what I really wanted to do, so I just went with the flow. By the time I was 8, I was playing really well, playing regularly, and knew this is what I wanted to do,” he said.

Dothan will be his 18th tournament already this season— a season in which he has had to overcome adversity.

After suffering a minor injury, Spencer was forced to wear a cast for three weeks on on his right foot. At one point, he even had to get a new cast because the pain was so bad.

On May 20, he finally was able to take the cast off.

And in typical Spencer fashion, he had a lesson with Rosenthal that same day.

“You must have a great work ethic in any sport and Kyle certainly has that,” Snyder said.”

Despite not being at the top of his game, Spencer expects good results in the upcoming tournament.

“Well, I just got my cast off, so I’m not at the top of my game right now. However, I expect to be near the top. I’m not saying I’m going to win the tournament, but I don’t expect to be last, either. I look for a top five finish,” he said.

There will be 23 players in the Press Thornton Future Masters Golf Tournament.

And playing in big tournaments is nothing new to this youngster.

Spencer has represented South Carolina five times in the US Kids Jr. Championship — since age 5, finishing 13th a year ago. He also is  two-time  SC state winner and participant in the US Kids World Championship at Pinehurst (2008 and 2006), in addition to being the youngest golfer to be invited to play in the PGA Junior Championship (Carolinas qualifier).

In 2007 and 2008, he received invitations to compete in the US Kids European Championship to represent the US.

Yes, he’s done quite a bit.

It can be tough to keep it all in perspective.

“Sometimes I have to take a step back and remember he’s only 10. Sometimes the expectations can get too high,” Snyder said.

Spencer is preparing for the Future Masters with his good friend—and rival—Christian Salzer.

The two have played in numerous tournaments together throughout the years and developed quite the friendly rivalry.

In the golf community, their rivalry is referred to as the “Ali-Frazier Bowl” in reference to boxing legends Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, who fought three classic bouts.

The past two weekends Spencer and Salzer  met at the Santee National Country Club in Santee, S.C. to play a one on one skins match just between the two of them to get ready for the Future Masters tournament.

Spencer came away the winner both times, meaning he gets the “pink” golf  ball.

“We play for a pink ball. At every tournament, the winner gets the ball and holds on to it until he loses. It’s a lot of fun, we bring out the best in each other,”  he said.

The “pink” golf ball has Ali-Frazier written on it.

Salzer, 10, is from Sumter, S.C.

Another way Spencer prepares for tournaments—boxing.

He explained. “I hit the bag with my left arm to build strength,” he said. That bag happens to be filled with towels.

And if he feels himself getting frustrated on the course, coach Rosenthal has that covered as well.

“He has me walk 200 yards and just breathe. It’s a way to slow down and relax,” Spencer said.

Despite his busy schedule, he  manages to make time for his friends, and has no regrets of giving up his summers to fulfill his dream.

“I never once thought I was giving up too much. I always find time to spend time with my family and friends. We fish on the boat; my friends and I play Air Sof. I find time to fit everyone in. I never waste time,” Spencer said.

And like when he’s on the boat, he has fun when playing a round of 18.

“I want to win every time out, but I don’t take it too far. If I win great. But that’s it. I’m not going to brag or anything like that. I just love the game of golf and get true enjoyment from it every time out,” he said.

A unique talent coupled with an undeniable work ethic and grandma’s help,  expect to see plenty of low scores ahead for this young superstar.