Staff WriterIn the 7th edition of the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific Championship, age proves to be just a number as 56‐year-old Nadene Gole and 12‐year-old Bao Chau Nguyen join forces in spirit to remind us that golf isn’t just a game—it’s a lifelong passion.
Despite a 44-year gap between them, these two debutants are capturing headlines and hearts alike at the Robert Trent Jones Jnr-designed Hoiana Shores Golf Club.
This 72-hole stroke play event, which rewards its winner with spots in three women’s major championships, isn’t about winning the trophy at all costs.
Instead, it’s a celebration of merit, persistence, and the rich tapestry of life experiences that each competitor brings to the fairway.
And while neither Gole nor Nguyen expects to lift the trophy this week, simply qualifying in a 95-strong field is an accomplishment in itself.
“I’m thrilled to be here with all these amazing young athletes. I don’t have anything to prove but I couldn’t have walked away from this opportunity,” said Gole, a former touring professional who dominated women’s senior golf last year.
With a career that spans over four decades—including a memorable win at the Danish Open on the Ladies’ European Tour in 1996—Gole’s journey is nothing short of inspirational.
After a pause to focus on her family, she returned to amateur golf and quickly reclaimed her status, winning both the R&A Women’s Senior Amateur and US Senior Women’s Amateur in 2024, a feat that saw her break into the top 100 of the World Amateur Golf Ranking and secure the number one senior spot.
“I’m a great advocate that golf is a game for life – the friendships, the travel, the physical benefits. I’m just enjoying it while I can.
This week is tough because the course is 10 to 15 per cent longer than what I’m used to these days. I’m having to hit woods into some greens where most girls are hitting irons.
If I make the cut, I would say it’s a huge accomplishment,” she added, acknowledging the unique challenges presented by the course.
On the opposite end of the age spectrum, Bao Chau Nguyen is just beginning her story in the sport.
Introduced to golf in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic by hitting balls in her family’s flower garden, Bao Chau has quickly turned heads with two wins and five top-ten finishes in WAGR-counting events on home soil, not to mention a solid 20th-place finish in the Malaysian Women’s Amateur Open.
“I feel proud, happy and a little nervous to be here this week,” Bao Chau confessed, with her teammate Viet Gia Han Nguyen stepping in as translator for her very first international media interview.
At just 12 years old, Bao Chau’s powerful drive—averaging 220 yards off the tee—is already making a mark, even if she’s still fine-tuning her short game.
Her aspirations are as big as her potential, with dreams of one day gracing the LPGA Tour.
Gia Han Nguyen, a seasoned competitor at 14 and Vietnam’s top-rated player after making history as the youngest ever player in the Vietnam National Championship in 2022, offered a word of encouragement: “Her ball-striking is excellent and she has so much talent, but she doesn’t have much tournament experience. Sometimes she needs to have better strategy and course management.”
Both players have found common ground in their admiration for the Hoiana Shores Golf Club—a venue that has celebrated its fifth anniversary with style and substance.
“It’s a spectacular and difficult course, especially if the wind is blowing,” said Bao Chau Nguyen, reflecting on her prior rounds here.
For her first look at the layout, Gole was equally impressed: “It’s amazing what they’ve done with the course. Parts of it remind me of golfing in Ireland.”
General Manager Wee Peng Siong summed up the venue’s transformation perfectly: “Our journey has taken us from a tranquil fishing village in Quang Nam to a Golf Environment Organisation-certified course.
We remain steadfast in our vision to become the leading sustainable golf destination in Asia.”
With accolades in global rankings and a commitment to sustainability, Hoiana Shores is quickly becoming a must-play destination.
At its heart, the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific Championship is more than just a contest—it’s a beacon for future generations of women golfers.
The champion will not only earn invitations to three major championships, including the AIG Women’s Open, Amundi Evian Championship, and the Chevron Championship, but will also receive further elite amateur opportunities at events like the Hana Financial Group Championship, ISPS Handa Australian Open, The 122nd Women’s Amateur Championship, and, by tradition, the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.
Backed by a host of prestigious sponsors—from Rolex and ISPS Handa to Samsung and Titleist—the tournament reflects a shared commitment to nurturing golf’s growth in the Asia-Pacific region.
In a contest where experience meets raw youthful talent, the stage is set for a compelling display of skill, determination, and the unyielding spirit of the game.
So, whether you’re a lifelong fan of the sport or a newcomer enchanted by the prospect of witnessing history in the making, this week’s championship promises stories as rich and diverse as the players themselves—a true testament to the idea that in golf, as in life, the only limits are the ones we place on ourselves.
For more information, please visit the championship website.
