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Teenager Deanna Ngo hopes to drive her way into the international golfing scene and inspire other youngsters to take up the sport.
When the British School of Bahrain pupil isn’t busy studying, she is out on the green practicing her putting and improving her game at the Royal Golf Club (RGC) with the help of her coach, Tim Backhouse.
The 14-year-old, with a handicap of 5, recently claimed the RGC’s Green ‘Masters’ jacket after winning the inaugural Bahrain Duty Free Members’ Masters Tournament.
This success has encouraged her to continue on her path to achieving her golfing dreams of becoming a professional player.
Deanna, who lives in Riffa, said: “I was so excited about the victory because it was my first time winning a major competition.
“I am used to competing in monthly club contests, clinching medals but this was a big deal for me. Also, I was playing against older golfers so that was a challenge as well.”
Deanna first started playing in her native Singapore at the age of five after watching her father Darius, a general manager of the Section Process Solution Centre in Yokogawa Middle East, and her mother, Valerie Lim, enjoying the game.
“Watching them play is what got me interested and I thank them for that because what started off as my hobby is now my life,” she added.
“I have been playing for about eight years and it really makes me happy. Others might find it weird but this is normal for me and I find that it helps me puts things into perspective.
“For example, if you get mad it comes out in your golf and can destroy your whole game. That is why golf improves your attitude, concentration levels and just pretty much everything in life.”
Deanna has competed and played in different countries including China, Thailand and whenever she returns to Singapore on vacation. She trains with her brother Derrek, 15, who also started playing at the age of seven. Together, they practice at home and at the club and sometimes compete together. The duo won the Mercedes Benz World Cup of Golf tournament at the RGC in May and in June won the DHL Order of Merit Series competition at the club shooting a gross 79.
Deanna said: “I go to the golf course on Thursdays for my lessons and I play competitions on Saturdays and Fridays. We even have putting matches at home and play during vacations wherever we go. It’s a family game for us.
“Golf is not a simplistic sport. It requires a lot of mental and physical discipline.
“You need to practice otherwise you lose your touch. Golf plays with your head. If you play a bad shot many people get angry and scream and stuff. But to be a good golfer you need to keep calm and continue playing …and hope for the best!”
Deanna dreams of one day playing in the Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) Tour, aspiring to be like 24-year-old Taiwanese Yani Tseng, a professional golfer taking part in the US-based competition. She is the youngest player ever, male or female, to win five major championships and was ranked number 1 in the Women’s World Golf Rankings for 109 consecutive weeks between 2011 to 2013.
Deanna said: “I hope to play in the LPGA major competitions. It is my dream to make it internationally but for now I am focusing on dropping my handicap to scratch.
“Also, I would love for our school to form a golfing team. We have so many teachers that play the sport, so why not? Golf is a brilliant game that will help people stay focussed and disciplined.”
