Young Dunedin golfer crowned world's best for her age
Winning a world title is is still sinking in for Dunedin golf prodigy Joanna Ke, after she blitzed her way to the under-9 title at the Champion of Champions event in Lough Erne, Northern Ireland, yesterday morning.
Joanna, who celebrated her 10th birthday on Thursday, beat seven golfers in her division, finishing with a final score of four-over 113 in the three-round, 27-hole event.
She told the Otago Daily Times from Lough Erne winning her division — considered the biggest junior invitational golf tournament in the world — came with a lot of "excitement" and meant a lot to her.
The Columba College pupil finished eight shots ahead of second-placed Ella Sevcikova, of the Czech Republic, while Ireland's Claire O'Brien was a further 10 shots back in third.
How am I going to carry this? Joanna Ke is nearly dwarfed by her trophy for winning a world age group golf title in Ireland yesterday. PHOTOS: GERARD O'BRIEN/SUPPLIED
Joanna loved playing alongside golf fanatics her own age, "putting the birdies", and learning to use a yardage book on the course for the first time.
She booked her spot at the tournament, which featured 250 junior golfers across nine divisions from 40 countries, after finishing runner-up at an event in Australia last year.
Joanna, who plays off a 12.9 handicap, first picked up the clubs at the age of 3 and had been working hard with Dunedin golf coach Shelley Duncan over the past two years.
Duncan carried the bags for Joanna in Northern Ireland, and praised her golfer's nerve through the final round.
"This afternoon through three holes her lead was only down to two shots," Duncan said.
"Then she just managed to hold it together and had a few birdies coming home and finishing with an eight-shot win, which is amazing."
Duncan was "super proud" of Joanna's performance across the three days, especially considering she was "very sick" leading up to the tournament.
"She's done everything that we've asked of her," Duncan said.
'She got a bug on the way over and probably didn't come right until the day before the tournament.
"So she's done really, really well."
They now head to St Andrews — the Scottish resort known as the "home of golf" — where Joanna will play in the St Andrews Junior Ladies' Open, which gets under way tomorrow (NZ time).
They will play a round on the prestigious old course at St Andrews today with former Otago Golf Club members Dylan Stock and Henry Hodgson, who are now based overseas.
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Otago Daily Times
4 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Young Dunedin golfer crowned world's best for her age
Talk about a great birthday present. Winning a world title is is still sinking in for Dunedin golf prodigy Joanna Ke, after she blitzed her way to the under-9 title at the Champion of Champions event in Lough Erne, Northern Ireland, yesterday morning. Joanna, who celebrated her 10th birthday on Thursday, beat seven golfers in her division, finishing with a final score of four-over 113 in the three-round, 27-hole event. She told the Otago Daily Times from Lough Erne winning her division — considered the biggest junior invitational golf tournament in the world — came with a lot of "excitement" and meant a lot to her. The Columba College pupil finished eight shots ahead of second-placed Ella Sevcikova, of the Czech Republic, while Ireland's Claire O'Brien was a further 10 shots back in third. How am I going to carry this? Joanna Ke is nearly dwarfed by her trophy for winning a world age group golf title in Ireland yesterday. PHOTOS: GERARD O'BRIEN/SUPPLIED Joanna loved playing alongside golf fanatics her own age, "putting the birdies", and learning to use a yardage book on the course for the first time. She booked her spot at the tournament, which featured 250 junior golfers across nine divisions from 40 countries, after finishing runner-up at an event in Australia last year. Joanna, who plays off a 12.9 handicap, first picked up the clubs at the age of 3 and had been working hard with Dunedin golf coach Shelley Duncan over the past two years. Duncan carried the bags for Joanna in Northern Ireland, and praised her golfer's nerve through the final round. "This afternoon through three holes her lead was only down to two shots," Duncan said. "Then she just managed to hold it together and had a few birdies coming home and finishing with an eight-shot win, which is amazing." Duncan was "super proud" of Joanna's performance across the three days, especially considering she was "very sick" leading up to the tournament. "She's done everything that we've asked of her," Duncan said. 'She got a bug on the way over and probably didn't come right until the day before the tournament. "So she's done really, really well." They now head to St Andrews — the Scottish resort known as the "home of golf" — where Joanna will play in the St Andrews Junior Ladies' Open, which gets under way tomorrow (NZ time). They will play a round on the prestigious old course at St Andrews today with former Otago Golf Club members Dylan Stock and Henry Hodgson, who are now based overseas.
Otago Daily Times
5 days ago
- Otago Daily Times
Call-up surreal even for veteran
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RNZ News
5 days ago
- RNZ News
Golf: Dunedin golfing prodigy Joanna Ke wins world title, aged nine
New Zealand golfer Joanna Ke. Photo: Champions of Champions Dunedin schoolgirl Joanna Ke has annihilated her rivals to win the under-nine girls title at the world Champion of Champions golf tournament in Northern Ireland. Joanna finished a staggering eight strokes clear after the three-round tournament played over 27 holes at Lough Erne in County Fernmanagh. The nine-year-old had rounds of 36, 38 and 39 over the three days to finish four-over par. The tournament, which drew 260 junior golfers from 40 countries, had nine age-group categories. Joanna, who was born in China and attends Columba College in Dunedin, has been coached for the past two years by Otago professional Shelley Duncan. Duncan posted about the win on Instagram. "Awesome effort. Tough weather conditions on Friday, super proud of her." Joanna, who plays off a 12.9 handicap, gained entry into the world championship after finishing second at an Australian tournament. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
