Last year, at the age of 15, she had the privilege of golfing at the iconic Augusta National Golf Course in the U.S.
Now 16, South Surrey golfer Ha Young Chang continues to shine in her efforts on the links, winning first place in the GolfBC Group BC Women's Open in the amateur division in June, where she also place third overall (including the pro division).
At the beginning of this year, she won the Order of Merit, in winning the Vancouver Golf Tour Winter Season for the Championship division. At an earlier tournament in June, she played at the 119th Women's Amateur at Balfour Golf Course, where she placed second overall and broke a course record with her total score of 65, which was seven under (the previous record was five under); as one of the top three players from the tournament, she will play as part of Team B.C. in the Canadian Women's Amateur Championship (July 30 to Aug 2 in Victoria).
Earlier this month, Chang also competed at the Junior (U19) Championships at Gallagher's Canyon Golf Club in Kelowna, where she again was runner-up (second place). That win means she will play at the Canadian Junior Girls Championship July 22-25 in Vancouver as part of Team B.C.
"I'm very busy – I've been golfing a lot," Chang said just before a tee time recently. "It's really fun to be playing with competitive players and to be travelling a lot to different locations, and having different atmospheres... I really like it."
Having started homeschool instead of attending classes in person at Elgin Park Secondary, Chang said the move has given her more freedom to focus on her golf career.
"It was my first time transferring to online. ... I'm still getting used to it. I would say it's much better, because I get more time to practise golf, and it feels more free. ... I get to travel a lot without worrying about my school – I can just bring my homework."
She's looking forward to her next few tournaments being at home, or closer to home than Torrey Pines, California, where she competed last week.
"My Dad is caddying for me at the Canadian Women's," she noted. "Last year, I didn't make cut for Canadian Women's ... this year I'm planning to make cut for sure, so hopefully I can play good."
When she's on the course, Chang tries to keep her focus on her game.
"With every shot, I just focus on my ball – I don't really try to look around or get distracted, I just do my regular routine – check the yardage, focus on what club to hit, check the wind, then just focus on hitting the ball straight," she said.
Her ultimate objective is to play professionally.
"My goal is to go to the LPGA," Chang said confidently.
While some games are more challenging than others, she knows that her own attitude is often the most important factor. Especially if she gets a bad score on a hole.
"When things are not really working that well, it's sometimes hard to get back to making pars. ... At those times, I try to just forget about what I did on that hole, I just try to to forget about score and keep moving forward, because in my mind, I know there will be birdie chances ... so I try to focus on those instead."
Her favourite club is, and has always been, her putter.
"I like it because it's fun to read the green ... reading the slopes, matching the speed. I just really like it when I see my ball go into the hole – it just feels really good," she said.
She's looking forward to having her father, Minku Chang, as her caddy at the end of the month in Victoria.
So is he. Minku, who owns and operates Chang’s Taekwondo, where Ha Young has practised since she was three, said he is very proud of his daughter, who is now a third-degree black belt in addition to her many golf accomplishments.
"It's fun to watch! There's always tension ... it's part of enjoyment," he said.
Other amateur golfers don't always necessarily like or allow their parents to caddy, he noted.
"I love caddying for her – that makes me happy. I can talk to her on the course about what club, wind direction, the strategy... it's great."
Ha Young is happy with her wins so far this season, but remains humble.
"I think I've had a good start this year. I think it's going really well. ... I just hope I can continue to make this happen."
