Louisa Vilardi noticed her son squinting, sometimes staring at objects as if he needed a few seconds for them to come into focus.
It was during a golf lesson when she asked the 8-year-old if he could see the flagstick on the course. Mario Vilardi said he could, but just barely, and most other things at that distance were a blur.
It was almost a relief for his parents to learn that something was wrong. Mario scuffled at the beginning of the golf season, struggling with consistency, and showing less of the precision that had put him among the best grade-school golfers in the world. This, at least, was an explanation for what seemed to be inexplicable.
“Everything looks a lot different when I have them on,” Mario said of being prescribed glasses this spring. “It was a lot harder to play before I got them. Now, I can see much better.”
He can play much better, too, as a result.
It’s like the opposite of Clark Kent — Mario puts on the spectacles before performing spectacular feats. The Hopewell Junction native has surged this summer, building momentum as he prepares to compete again in the US Kids Golf World Championship next month.
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The tournament is the largest international junior golf event, featuring each year whiz kids ages 5 to 12. Mario will be among a group of about 1,000 young golfers from around the world who’ll convene in Pinehurst, North Carolina for the competition Aug. 3-5.
“It’s fun, and I’m really happy to be invited again,” said the Fishkill Plains Elementary School student, who finished 45th out of 115 in the tournament last summer.
Mario, who celebrated his birthday last week, will compete in the 8-year-old boys division, playing on the back nine of Mid Pines Golf. The par 36 course is about 2,100 yards and its field will include 101 kids.
“We’re incredibly proud of Mario’s perseverance,” his mom said. “He worked very hard to get back to the world championship.”
Certainly so, considering he was playing for a while with a literal handicap.
The glasses also helped in the classroom, where Mario said he now has a much easier time seeing the board.
Among his highlights in the spring were victories in the US Kids Golf Hartford tournament in Connecticut and the Northern New Jersey Spring Tour Championship. Mario posted scores impressive enough to earn an invitation to the world championship for a second straight year.
He was “anxious” while waiting to learn if he qualified and was “very excited” about making the cut, his dad, David Vilardi said. That achievement was celebrated with an ice cream cake that his mom decorated with an actual golf ball.
Mario also placed fourth earlier this month in the Red, White & Blue Invitational, a two-day regional tournament in North Carolina that serves almost as a prelude to the world championship.
“Being able to see better has obviously helped tremendously,” David Vilardi said. “And, with the school year now over, he’s had more time to practice. His game is coming around in time for the big tournaments and I think he’s in good shape to improve.”
Mario excelled in the opening round of the world championship last year, shooting a 1-under and tying for second in his group. He faltered on the second and third days, though, and carded a 15-over.
“I wasn’t nervous, not even on the first tee,” he insisted. “I just didn’t do well the other days.”
The experience there last year was one the family described as fulfilling. They enjoyed the pageantry of the parade of nations ceremony and made lasting memories as David teamed up with his son for the parent-child event. For Mario, getting used to the grand stage and the international factor were also a benefit.
“I thought the exposure to people of different cultures and languages was priceless for the kids,” Louisa Vilardi said, referring to the field of participants in Mario’s age group that included golfers from as far as India and South Africa. “There were pool parties and barbecues, giving us the opportunity to interact with families from all over, and it was amazing.”
The only downside, Mario said, was he and his younger brother Charlie getting “bored in the car” during the 630-mile drive to Pinehurst. The family has since welcomed another son, 8-month-old Angelo, and Mario is already anticipating “a lot of crying” during the road trip in August.
Well, consider the intermittent “waah” a travel expense for a journey well worth it.
Mario’s interest in golf began as a toddler, when he would playfully take swings while his father and grandfather played. By age 4, some of those swings had good form and he was able to strike the ball effectively.
His coordination improved with age and practice, and Mario began to show a natural aptitude for the sport. His dad helped develop his techniques and taught him the nuances, serving as a coach and caddy. Mario soon became a serious competitor and was inspired by “The Short Game,” a Netflix documentary about kids competing in the world championship. That made him dream big.
By the first grade, he had already racked up a collection of awards and become a neighborhood celebrity, even getting an autograph request from his pediatrician.
The goal now, of course, is to show the progress he has made and put forth a strong performance. “I think I’m gonna do a lot better this time,” Mario said confidently.
His eyes are on the prize. And he can see it clearly.
Stephen Haynes: [email protected]; 845-437-4826; Twitter: @StephenHaynes4
This article originally appeared on the Poughkeepsie Journal: Mario Vilardi qualifies again for the US Kids Golf World Championship