Representing Lynfield College at the College Sport Auckland Golf Strokeplay Championships, Miree Jung blitzed her opposition which means her name is now engraved on the same trophy won by her golfing idol, Lydia Ko – a fantastic and exciting achievement. Miree plays off a handicap of +1, and had the same person been allowed to win the Handicap Championship, she would have won that too! She is the second Lynfield College student to have won this title following Shantael Ligaliga’s win in 2013.
A year ago, 14-year-old Miree decided to jump completely out of her comfort zone and broaden her horizons by moving from her home in South Korea to New Zealand. She and her brother now live with relatives in the heart of Blockhouse Bay and are really enjoying the friendly atmosphere our community is so well known for. It also has the benefit of having three golf courses within a very small area – a definite bonus for someone who has been playing golf for five years and has her sights firmly set on becoming a golf pro.
Miree has now completed one full school year at Lynfield College and has loved every minute of it. She finds the NZ education system provides much more freedom and flexibility; despite attending five full school days each week, there is still plenty of time to pursue her passion to become a pro golfer, meet her school requirements and enjoy being a teenager. At home in Korea, Miree attended school for only three days each week, spending the other two days on the golf course or driving range with her coach.
She believes her golf has improved considerably since she has been able to spend three hours practicing each day after school – frequent, regular, focused training being the key to powering along the pathway to achieving her dream of winning a Grand Slam by the time she is 25.
With so many golf courses in Auckland, Miree is in the perfect place to get plenty of tournament experience in the weekends. Golf in NZ is more affordable than in Korea and always played on grass which, she says, makes it a much more enjoyable experience. Miree is a member of Titirangi Golf Club and currently has two coaches based at different golf venues.