Locals pulling for Byrne

David Byrne already had a leg up on the competition going into the Roseland Jamieson Charity Classic.

He grew up playing the south Windsor course after moving to Essex from Corner Brook, Nfld at a young age.

If the early returns are any indication, the support of a hometown crowd has helped propel Byrne to a share of the 18-hole lead.

Michelle Halmo, a stay-at-home mom, took son – and golf enthusiast – Zach, 7, to see some of the Canadian Tour action.

“(Last year’s Jamieson at Ambassador) was the first one we really experienced,” Halmo said. “It was good, it was fun. We thought we’d come out and try it again.”

Halmo, who said she met Byrne’s mother Jody in a women’s golf league at Ambassador, said her and Zack would be supporting the local golf star.

Byrne won the golf reality TV show The Big Break: Indian Wells in 2011. Shortly after returning to Windsor, Halmo and Zack happened to run into Byrne at Sutton Creek Golf Club.

“We just happened to go there for lunch, and David was kind enough to do a putt-off with Zack,” Halmo said.

“He’s a really nice kid.”

Zach, who has been playing golf since he was two years old said his favorite part of golf is driving, and that he can hit the ball 150 yards.