Vietnamese amateur Nguyen Dang Phong trained for two years before winning his
first title at the National Junior Golf Championship at the Ocean Dunes Golf
Club in Phan Thiet City.

Driving for success: Vietnamese amateur Nguyen Dang Phong hits a drive. He was one of the first young prodigies to complete a training programme organised by the Ha Noi Golf Association last year. (Photos: VNS)

Phong,
12, from Ha Noi, fought back to take the title in a play-off with a birdie on
the fourth hole against HCM City-born Nguyen Thanh Trung after finishing level
after two rounds at the championship in August.

The
12-year-old has held a handicap of 21 since he began practising every weekend at
the Chi Linh Stars Golf and Country Club in Hai Duong City from the age of 10.

Phong’s
progress earned him a sponsorship from the Ha Noi Golf Association last year.

“I love playing golf and I go to the course every weekend with my
parents. I also like playing other sports such as football and table tennis, but
I prefer golf as I have been playing it since I was
six,” Phong said, adding that the sport helped him to stay fit and gave him
confidence for his studies.

The 6th
grade student of the Ha Noi-based Singapore International School was one of the
first young prodigies to complete a training programme that was organised by the
Ha Noi Golf Association last year.

“We will
select six 12-year-old kids for an elite training programme next year, of which
the top four will form a squad to compete at international junior tournaments,”
said vice chairman of Ha Noi Golf Association Dong Van Tiep.

“The
association will provide training facilities for and pay for coaching fees as
well as find sponsors for further training abroad,” Tiep explained.

Phong’s
father, Nguyen Dang Khanh said he wants his son to continue playing his
favourite sport, rather than getting into trouble on the streets.

“My son
began playing golf at a young age. My wife and I used to play every weekend and
we’ve been taking him with us since he was six,” Khanh said, adding that his son
can hit a 180-yard drive with ease.

“I was
surprised by how quickly he fell in love with golf. He’s very skilful and his
swing and putting are better than mine.”

“I
encourage him to play as an amateur while studying hard. He can make his own
decision about becoming a professional golfer after college,” Khanh said.

Khanh
said he plans to send his son to study in the US, where he can study and train
at the same time.

The Viet
Nam Golf Association (VGA) is developing a programme to identify talented young
golfers in schools across the country.

The VGA
has been seeking a long term sponsorship deal to get the project off the ground
from next year.

“The
association plans to introduce golf into the school curriculum from next year,
but we have to find a strong enough sponsor to get it started,” said the VGA’s
general secretary Nguyen Ngoc Chu.

“Golf
will make its debut at junior and senior secondary schools rather than primary
schools. Students from the ages of 11-15 will practise golf in school with
further training on the golf course,” Chu said.

Chu said
he hoped the project would be a positive step and the association would try its
best to reach a sponsorship deal soon.

“It’s
the best way to sustainably develop a sport. We can find a lot of fresh talent
by introducing children to golf in school time,” the general secretary said.

VietNamNet/Viet
Nam News