LODI — After a brief career with the golf clubs has taken on a life of itself, Manteca resident Ty Griggs is definitely having a blast on his way up the Northern California Junior Golf Association ranks.

Griggs, 10, has made tremendous strides in the game of golf after taking up the sport just 18 months ago. A couple of comments on his “natural golf swing” during Little League baseball action led to Griggs eventually putting down his bat and glove for a new set of golf clubs.

“Everyone was saying that I had a golf swing, so my Dad brought me out and I played pretty good,” Griggs said. “Eventually, I started going out there a lot and got away from baseball and started playing golf.”

Griggs is not only playing golf, he’s playing it a high level.

After securing a spot in the Veritas World Junior Golf Festival in Los Angeles with a top-two finish in a qualifier played at Haggin Oaks in Sacramento, Griggs is playing almost a tournament a weekend throughout the remainder of the summer schedule.

Griggs took part in the 33rd Tokay Junior Golf Tournament at Woodbridge Country Club in Lodi Wednesday, starting off the two-day tourney with a group-best round of 46 on the 9-hole par 36 course.

Griggs played in the tournament’s first group and did not disappoint, turning in a handful of impressive shots, including back-to-back 20-foot putts on holes eight and nine, to save par and bogey, respectively.

“Right now, I really like the chipping and putting,” Griggs said. “When I’m looking at a putt I’m thinking about the speed and which way it’s going to break, and if it’s uphill or downhill.

“I try and see it from the bottom so I get a good view of the putt.”

Griggs is scheduled to complete the Tokay Junior Thursday and head to the bay area for more tournament action this weekend. All his immediate tournament action will be to fine tune his game before heading to Worlds beginning July 14.

With the travel, the intense competition and the uninvited expectations that customarily come along with kids that are talented, Griggs definitely is a youngster that is having a blast while playing golf at a high level.

“I am having a lot of fun,” Griggs said. “It’s really been fun because I meet new people. I’m also having fun because I get to do what I like to do.”