Golf-loving youths receive local and international training
Talented golf players have emerged in Myanmar over the years, and to ensure continued development without generational gaps, efforts are being made to nurture young golfers both locally and abroad, according to Junior Golf Myanmar.
According to U Kyaw Kyaw Min Lat, General Secretary of Junior Golf Myanmar, “Myanmar has produced remarkable golfers in the past who once made their mark on the international scene. Golf success largely depends on access to structured training and support. In countries like Thailand, private companies actively support the development of young talent. Myanmar’s youth are also highly capable, and to bridge the gap between older players and the younger generation, we are currently developing new talents between the ages of 10 and 18. They regularly participate in domestic and international tournaments to gain competitive experience.”
Some young Myanmar golfers are currently studying at international golf academies, especially in the United States, where they combine golf training (70 per cent) with academic education (30 per cent). These youths represent their schools in tournaments and have shown promising results, with some continuing into golf careers upon graduation.
The colonial-era Thayet Golf Course in Magway Region, built in a similar design to the famed St Andrews Golf Course in the United Kingdom, still allows reciprocal play at St Andrews for its members. In Yangon, major golf courses where local golfers train include Yangon Golf Club (Danyingon), Defence Services Golf Course, Okkalapa Golf Course, YCDC Golf Course, Mingaladon Golf Course, Punhlaing Golf Course, 9th-Mile Golf Course, Star City Golf Course, and Ngwe Thawda Golf Course.
Beyond Yangon, other golf courses include two in PyinOoLwin, two in Taunggyi, the Royal Palace Golf Course and Mandalay Hill Golf Course in Mandalay, as well as Myotha and Shwe Sar Yan Golf Courses, which continue to host training and local tournaments.
Junior golfers from Myanmar under the age of 20 are also competing overseas. In the US, they participate in school-sanctioned tournaments while continuing their formal studies. Some have successfully transitioned into professional or semi-professional roles at the very institutions where they trained.
To ensure the growth and sustainability of the sport, the Myanmar Golf Federation (MGF) and affiliated bodies conduct seasonal training programmes. Local golf associations are also sending promising youth to compete in both local and international events to gain vital experience.
Given that golf is a high-cost sport, collaboration among parents, clubs, and the state is essential to support young athletes and to raise Myanmar’s standing in international competitions.
Golf is a sport played by striking a rubber-cored ball with clubs, typically 12 to 14 in a set, towards a series of nine to eighteen holes, intending to use the fewest strokes. The game has been played in Myanmar since colonial times and remains a popular sport to this day.
Globally renowned professional golfers include Tiger Woods, Jack Nicklaus, Golden Bell, Walter Hagen, Ben Hogan, and Arnold Palmer. In Myanmar, notable past golfers include U Mya Aye, U Zaw Moe, and U Kyi Hla Han. The Myanmar Golf Federation continues to host domestic tournaments to further raise the skill level of its players and enhance international competitiveness. — Thitsa (MNA)/KZL
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