Thirteen-year-old Damon Chen is gearing up for the upcoming Fiji Golf Open Championship next month, eager to make an impact in the sport. A Year 8 student at St Teresa Primary School in Ba, he has excelled in the amateur golf junior category this season, beginning with a victory in the Junior category at the Lautoka Open late last year and continuing his success with several wins at the Ba Golf Club.
Chen’s commitment to improving his swings is evident, despite his young age. His father, Chen Jin Shan, a businessman from Ba, serves as his primary source of support and motivation.
Damon took up golf in Year 6 and has ambitious goals of turning professional by Year 11, aspiring to become one of the youngest professional golfers in the country. He stated, “I plan to play professional golf in Year 11 and be one of the youngest professional golfers in the country.”
Balancing his schoolwork with his passion for golf presents challenges, particularly as he prepares for his Fiji Eighth Year Examination. He explained, “I normally train every day but if there’s homework, I will focus on my homework and study for my exam.”
Looking to the future, Damon hopes to attend Stanford University and eventually move to Australia to pursue a professional golf career.