By: Jerry Del Priore

Ryan Fish, at just 12 years of age, is already competing as a high-level golfer.

Fish, who attends Newark Academy in Livingston, represented the United States in the 2021 Parade of Nations at the U.S. Kids Golf World Championships in Pinehurst, N.C., in July. 

It was a great experience for Fish, who hit the links against 155 competitors from over 15 countries and finished in the top 100, his mom, Kimberly Gallo, said.

But it is more than just representing the Garden State. After witnessing the Walker Cup, a leading amateur male golf event split into two teams: United States versus Great Britain and Ireland, Fish became enthralled with representing his country. 

‘Ryan watched the Walker Cup, and it’s more about the U.S. than just New Jersey to him,” Gallo said. “He just loved golfing for the U.S.”  

Fish and a team of seven children captured the PGA Jr. League title in New Jersey in the summer. They are headed to the Regional Finals in New York early this month. 

Moreover, Fish owns aspirations to golf on the high school and collegiate levels some day. 

Gallo said he possesses the skills to do so, but, more importantly, he knows what it will take to accomplish those goals. And he is already working hard and smart toward getting there, a work ethic he has learned from his parents, who came from humble beginnings in Newark. 

“You know, what he really gained (through golf) was to practice a little bit every day to improve,” Gallo, who resides in Bernards Township, said. “He learned that hard work is more important than talent. But he truly has a talent. He has a pure swing.” 

Though Gallo is Fish’s mom, she is not the only one who thinks he can go far in the game. 

“Ryan possesses the skills to hit it long off the tee, squeeze an iron to a tucked pin, or hit a delicate bunker shot when needed,” Jeremy Eccles, Head of Junior Development at Fiddler’s Elbow Country Club and Ryan’s coach since he was 7 years old, said. 

“Ryan’s skills shine brilliantly even in the most tenuous situations and when his teammates are counting on him.”

In addition to learning work ethic from his parents, Fish is in the process of earning his second don (degree) black belt in Taekwondo under Master Moon. Taekwondo is something Gallo said her son has been participating in since the second grade, and has required a good deal of time and an unrelenting effort on his part.

Plus, Gallo said, he has developed strong morals and understanding through both disciplines, as in the way a young, silent warrior approaches life, so to speak. 

“With both sports, values and principles matter,” she said. “He has a quiet demeanor, and I love that about him. He’s learning how to help other people. He’s not rubbing bad days in others’ faces; kids he went to camp with or kids on his team.” 

Fish also impresses Eccles, who is also a PGA pro, with his grit, maturity and adherence to fairness of play.  

“Every time I’m around Ryan, I witness his supportive and quiet leadership with other junior golfers,” Eccles said. “Though Ryan has always had a golf IQ and talent above many others regardless of age, it is his sportsmanship, tenacity, honesty, and unflagging consistent willingness to help those he plays with that make Ryan a person and golfer worth knowing. I couldn’t be prouder of him.”

Additionally, Fish pulls fantastic grades, plays the drums, and possesses a science, engineering mindset, according to Gallo, who said that is a track he may want to pursue in college. 

But make no mistake, whatever he chooses to do in life, Fish’s parents always drive home that one ever-so important concept that will make him a hole-in-one success story. 

“I told him, ‘if you want to get there (goals), working hard and doing the right thing will give you more choices,’” Gallo explained. “‘Whatever you do in life, you’ll do it through hard work.’” 

Fish’s next individual tournament is the State Championships in Hawaii in October.