The Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific Academy gathered golfers from across the region to benefit from elite-level coaching. (Credit R&A)
A promising cohort of young female golfers from across the Asia-Pacific region has significantly benefited from the second edition of the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific (WAAP) Academy, an initiative designed to strengthen the development pathway for elite players.
Delivered by The R&A and the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC), the Academy provides crucial high-performance coaching and support to players who might otherwise lack access to elite training environments. The second group convened in Wellington ahead of the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific championship, which will be staged at Royal Wellington next February.
Putting Small Nations on the Global Map
The Academy’s success is highlighted by the enthusiasm of its participants, who are often the sole representatives of their home countries on the regional stage.
Tyanna Jacot, a promising 17-year-old left-hander from the small Pacific nation of Guam, hailed the experience as a “different level” of training.
“The Academy has been amazing,” Jacot said. “I’ve learned a lot about my short game, my long game, the mental side of golf, and also the physiotherapy side of things and how to maintain your body so you can continue and play at your highest level.”
Jacot also believes the training has given her a vital edge for the upcoming championship. “I feel like I’m going to have an advantage in this year’s Championship because I’ve seen the golf course here at Royal Wellington. I can already tell what the weather’s going to be like and how it’s going to play.”
She expressed pride in representing her home, a mission she hopes will inspire others. “I really am proud to represent Guam… I feel like through me more people will be able know about the island, know where it is, and that it actually it exists.”
Similarly, Samoan golfer Faith Vui echoed the sentiment, stating, “I am very proud to represent my country, Samoa, here at the Academy. It’s just great to carry my flag on my shoulders and represent my people.”
A Journey of Firsts and Technological Gains
Perhaps one of the most heartwarming stories is that of 30-year-old Margaret Lavaki from Papua New Guinea, who has appeared in previous WAAP championships. She celebrated the Academy as a series of “first-time things.”
“I’m the first Papua New Guinean lady to compete in the Women’s Asia-Amateur Pacific championship and also the first one to come here to this academy—so it’s a good experience,” Lavaki noted.
Lavaki specifically highlighted the technological advancements in training as a game-changer. “I especially learned a lot during the club fitting. Where I’m from you just get a club and you hit the ball… but with the technology these days, the club is suited for your swing. I learned a lot about the golf club itself and how to hit shots to certain styles and distances.”
Both Jacot, Vui, and Lavaki aim to make the cut in the WAAP championship for the first time, reflecting the Academy’s crucial role in giving regional competitors the access to elite coaching they need to progress.
Broad Regional Footprint
Reinforcing its broad scope, the second cohort included players from across the region:
New Zealand: A strong contingent featured representatives from the New Zealand Māori Golf Association—Rebecca Blackwell-Chin, Hunter Edwards, and Tania Ellis—along with young talent from Royal Wellington Golf Club, Amy Yu (12) and Elise Barber (13).
Other Nations: Raina Kumar (Fiji), Junia Gabasa (Philippines), Xingtong Chen (Singapore), and Kaya Daluwatte (Sri Lanka) were also invited to participate.
Dominic Wall, Regional Managing Director – Asia-Pacific at The R&A, praised the Academy’s expanding influence. “The Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific Academy continues to grow in both scale and impact, and it is encouraging to see players from across the region engaging with world-class coaching,” he said.
“By providing these young women with access to the same high-performance environment they will encounter during the Championship, we are helping them build confidence, capability and ambition. This is an important investment in the long-term strength of the women’s game across our region.”
World-Class Coaching and Support
Throughout the week-long programme, participants received specialist training from an experienced high-performance team. This included:
Technical Director: John Crampton
Short Game Coach: Scott Barr
Swing Coach: Andrew Welsford
Data and Trackman Specialist: Ryan Lumsden
Strength and Conditioning: The New Zealand Campus of Innovation and Sport team
The WAAP Academy, proudly supported by The R&A Foundation and Samsung, is designed not only to elevate performance but to inspire and empower players who often return to their communities as role models, helping to grow participation and ambition in women’s golf.
