WHY GOLF’S TAKING OFF ON COAST
Former students of the Robina Sports Academy’s golf program are paving the way to professional sports careers
MANY of us like to think we have something in common with our idols but for the students of Robina Sports Academy’s golf program, there’s more truth to it than most.
The school has three former students competing at a professional level, with two of them now earning millions of dollars.
Perhaps one of their crowning achievements is current Ladies Professional Golf Association Tour player Amy Yang, also known as Hee-Young Yang. Having started playing golf at age 10, at 16 Yang became the first amateur to win a major women’s professional event in 2006.
She claimed the ANZ Ladies Masters title but missed out on the $120,000 cheque due to her amateur status, then telling interviewers her parents had promised her a phone if she finished in the top 10.
It was a victory that etched her name into the record books.
The 29-year-old is now ranked 29th in the world, with fellow former student and LPGA player Haeji Kang ranked 112.
It’s no surprise for academy director and new head of the golfing program Daniel Norton-Smith, who said the sport was on the rise across the Gold Coast.
“We have 30 students and most of our numbers are in the junior school, which is very encouraging in itself,” he said.
“Because we know as they come through in the coming years we’re going to attract more in the early years, and there’s no reason why we can’t be up around 50 or 60 in a few years time.
“What we’re finding is that golf for girls in particular is growing. In America they’re finding a real spike in girl’s golf participation and now that’s finding its way to Australia.
“We were very boy-heavy for a little while and now the girls are starting to get more involved.
“I think it’s become cool for girls, acceptable, they see pros and have their role models.”
It’s a point of pride for the seasoned teacher, who admits he’s not quite on the same level as his former students.
“It’s fantastic for current students who then see our former students make it on the big stage, they’re on TV and they’re winning good prize money,” he said.
“They’re making a living out of the sport that they love, it gives our current students such good motivation.
“It’s good for myself and my staff so we know we’re giving our students the right guidance throughout their high school years, then we can also help them work out where life is going to go for them.
“To see them on tour around the world is very encouraging for everyone.”
Another former student, 22-year-old Amy Walsh, has already earned her place on the Ladies European Tour.
Walsh told the Gold Coast Bulletin in 2014 she hoped to “follow in the footsteps” of Amy Yang, and recalled watching the Ladies Masters as a starry-eyed primary school student.
Current student Josh Liston, 16, rediscovered the sport in primary school, having played previously as a young child, and fell in love all over again.
“I love the competitiveness of it, it’s just you out there and it is all you,” he said, adding he hopes to play professionally in future.
“It’s quite inspiring seeing (former students) strive for it and succeed. You get the occasional ‘golf’s not a sport’ from people but most know it’s just who you are, what you do.
“I really like Adam Scott, he’s just a great ambassador for the game, he always does well and doesn’t spit the dummy.”