RAPID CITY - Sam Musch had the game of golf in him at the beginning.

At the age of 2, while other kids were hitting plastic clubs on the ground, Musch was hitting a ball, and watching its movement. At the age of 7, he would even walk for nine holes at the golf course, watching his father golf.

"The game has always come easy to him," said Sam's father, Steve, who won a father-son tournament with Sam this year. "I'm just really thankful. God's really blessed him with special abilities."

What sets Sam, 11, apart from most is his decision, made with his father's help, to play in the 12-13-year-old age division of the Wells Fargo Junior Tour.

While the older golfers can hit the ball further, Sam has the advantage of reaching the fairways more often, and he has honed in on his short game.

"I work on my short game a lot," Sam said.

Sam established himself as a top golfer in his age group in South Dakota by winning the 11 and under state title last year and will compete in the same division again this year. His focus has never strayed from the game. He has competed in five tournaments this year, and has finished with three wins and two second-place finishes. The tournaments were at the Golf Club at Red Rock, Meadowbrook Golf Course, Hart Ranch Golf Course, Arrowhead Country Club and Spearfish Canyon Country Club.

Sam does not think about the age of his competitors, Steve said. From the age of 7, Sam has played with, and been mentored by, golfers older than him, which his father said is a positive. Steve is also proud of the accomplishments of the older golfers that have helped his son.

"It's neat to see their progress," Steve said.

Sam's next challenge started Sunday when he tted off at the South Dakota Golf Association's Junior State Golf Tournament in Huron. Though he has played at an older level, he will play in the 11-year-old division this year - the same division he won last year. He will turn 12 years old on July 30.

Sam expects a challenge at the tournament. He said some tough golfers from Sioux Falls will attend the tournament, and he is not familiar with the course.

Several years from now, Sam hopes to be on a golf tour. It is a possibility that his father says is likely with practice.

"If he really has a passion for it down the road like he does now," Steve said. "I don't think he'll be limited. He has the potential."