Naomi Ko is racking up plenty of frequent flyers points these days.
The talented golfer out of Metchosin is chasing her dream and gaining valuable experience playing tournaments and courses from California to New Jersey, not to mention some of the toughest Canadian junior and womenB次元官网网址檚 amateur events on the summer schedule.
This week, the 16-year-old Royal Colwood and national development team member is in Woodstock, Ont. contesting the Royale Cup Canadian WomenB次元官网网址檚 Amateur Championship, trying to better last yearB次元官网网址檚 23rd place tie.
A lot has changed in a year, not least of which is her improved tournament record.
Among her 2014 accomplishments, she captured the in Kamloops earlier this month, then followed it up a week later by tying for fourth at the B.C. WomenB次元官网网址檚 Amateur, just six shots back of winner Taylor Kim of Surrey.
While she was unsuccessful in Oregon last week at gaining one of a handful of regional spots into the U.S. WomenB次元官网网址檚 Amateur, she has nonetheless turned heads with her play.
She won the CN Future Links Ontario championship and came third in the Pacific version of that series. And she posted second- and sixth-place finishes, respectively, in American Junior Golf Association tournaments in St. Louis and Chandler, Ariz.
B次元官网网址淢y confidence is way better than last year,B次元官网网址� Ko said during a recent visit home. B次元官网网址淟ast year was all right. But out of playing four rounds in a tournament, IB次元官网网址檇 shoot in the 80s at least once.
B次元官网网址淢entally and physically I wasnB次元官网网址檛 that prepared. It was first year on the national (development) team and I didnB次元官网网址檛 know what to expect. This year I came in knowing (more).B次元官网网址�
South Korean-born Ko, who turns 17 in September when she heads back to Claremont secondary, has worked hard on her short game in recent months.
B次元官网网址淟ast year I was not able to get my chips close enough to the green. ThatB次元官网网址檚 a big game changer. Mentally as well, I am able to recover after a bad hole as well, which is a big thing.B次元官网网址�
She prefers spending more time around the practice green than on the range. Thanks to a more dedicated fitness regime, sheB次元官网网址檚 driving the ball 245 to 255 yards on average, impressive for someone whoB次元官网网址檚 just five-foot-four.
She heads to New York for more tournament play in early August and plans on continuing her mantra of staying positive.
B次元官网网址淔or this year my main goal was to go into a round and donB次元官网网址檛 expect too much for myself. Last year I had a lot of expectations, but that didnB次元官网网址檛 really go well for myself on the course or off. This year, itB次元官网网址檚 like, B次元官网网址榟ave fun, do my best.B次元官网网址� ItB次元官网网址檚 really how you manage yourself out on the course and IB次元官网网址檝e worked on that mentally in the off-season.B次元官网网址�
Ko, whose parents Tony and Adriana operate the Metchosin Country Store at Happy Valley and Metchosin roads, already has a full-ride scholarship to North Carolina State locked up for 2015. She remains focused on the present, however, and looks to finish her summer on the links with a flourish.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 been going pretty well this year, but I donB次元官网网址檛 want to get too far ahead of myself.B次元官网网址�
editor@goldstreamgazette.com
