Golf New Zealand names 2021 Talent Development Programme Members

Golf New Zealand names 2021 Talent Development Programme Members

Golf New Zealand has selected its Phase Two, Phase Three, and Phase Four members of its Talent Development Programme in wake of a stella Autumn period on the domestic golf scene.

Daniel Hillier has retained his position in Phase Four and will be joined by Amelia Garvey who announced today she is moving into the professional game. She’ll take on the world’s best at the US Women’s Open where she will make her professional debut.

James Hydes (Gulf Harbour Country Club) and Kazuma Kobori (Rangiora) have been elevated to Teir One of the National Academy, Phase Three of the Talent Development Programme.

Meanwhile, Mako Thompson (Maraenui), Darae Chung (Shandon), Sam Jones (Manaia), Fiona Xu (Titirangi), Tyler Wood (Ngahinepouri), Vivian Lu (Royal Auckland and Grange), Jared Edwards (Royal Auckland and Grange) and Carmen Lim (Windross Farm) have been named at Teir Two for 2021.  

The group will come together next week to be inducted into the new academy year and will then take on a Golf Australia squad at Gulf Harbour Country Club from June 2 – 4. Golf Australia has sent a selection of players from throughout their state squads, other than the locked down Victorians.

The Australian players, five men and five women will play the North Shore Classic this weekend before taking on the Golf New Zealand National Academy squad. The format will be singles match play with concurrently run fourball play. 

Golf New Zealand High Performance Manager Gregg Thorpe says it’s exciting to have some international competition once again.

“The three-day match with the Australian squad is a welcome return to some form of international play while we wait for New Zealand to open up. 

“It’s exciting for this group of players, who have had such a disrupted 12 months or more, to get the opportunity to benchmark themselves against some of their international peers,” he says.

With the Golf New Zealand Phase Three and Four members in place, up to 20 young players are being invited to attend Golf New Zealand’s Phase Two junior training camps to be held in the July school holiday period.

To view the Golf New Zealand Talent Development Programme, click HERE

For further information, contact jason@golfnz.org