Watching Garrett Browning in a tournament, you wouldn't know he is only 14. And not just because of his prodigious talent in the sport.

Browning, who will be a freshman at West Allegheny High School this fall, often competes outside his age group while playing a variety of local junior golf tournaments.

"I enjoy playing older kids definitely more [than those my age]," Browning said. "I hit it far enough that I can play with them.

"When you play with the older kids and beat them, it feels good because these are kids I have seen what they have done in the past. I kind of look up to them."

Browning is sometimes able to look down at them -- as in down the leader board.

One example came last month, when Browning placed second at a Southwest Pennsylvania Junior Golf Tour event for 15-17 year olds at Fort Cherry, shooting a 73. Another came when he placed in the top half of a field of more than 150 at the Pennsylvania Golf Association's junior state championship last week at the Hershey Country Club near Harrisburg. That field included several high school seniors. Browning hasn't even started high school.

"He really wants to play against older kids, play against adults in amateur events," Browning's father, Dave, said.

When Browning does compete against players his own age, the results are usually positive. Twice this month, he has won events in the 13-15 age group on the Kings Restaurant Junior Tour, including the Tri-State Junior PGA Championship July 2 at Fox Run Golf Course outside Beaver Falls.

He tied for first at the Western Pennsylvania Golf Association's boys' championship (age 14-15 division) June 25, losing in a playoff to Easton Renwick.

Browning has a number of strong showings on the International Junior Golf Tour, which has events across the country that often attract players from all around the U.S. and other nations. That includes top-five finishes in two tournaments in Pennsylvania in May.

Browning also enters some events of the American Junior Golf Association, another national tour.

Last summer, he had at least six tournament victories and two runners up to his credit from various tours.

This fall will present a new opportunity for Browning, when he has the opportunity to play for the West Allegheny High School golf team. Not only will it offer him a chance to qualify for and play in WPIAL and PIAA tournaments. It will also be the first time Browning will be part of a team in the sport.

"You're used to playing golf as a single person, so it will be fun to have a team around you," said Browning, who is almost 6 feet tall, weighs 185 pounds and also plays basketball. "You can help each other when you need it."

That passion began when he first was handed a club, by the time he was 4. He began serious competitive play about four years ago. A member at Montour Heights Country Club where Tom Romansky is the head pro, Browning said he will golf four or five times per week on average.

"He's very committed to the game," Dave Browning said. "I think that's one of the big things about him is he has a passion for the game."

That commitment has seen his handicap drop from 12 last year to 2 earlier this summer. He is now a scratch golfer, according to his father.

The primary reason for Browning's success -- and his ability to compete with older players -- is simple: Length. Blessed with a natural swing and good size for his age, Browning can regularly drive the ball better than 300 yards off the tee.