Foto 1

Rylan Chan, the golf prodigy who, at only seven years old, trains daily 2/3 hours a day, dreams of being a pro

This 7-year-old boy has not managed to do something extraordinary yet, but he will do something that is within the reach of very few people, much less his age.

Rylan was only 6 years old when he started golf, he is passionate about golf and has already achieved what for many is a feat, and much more at such a young age: He obtained 3 1st places, 3 2nd places and several 3rd places in the CJGA – Canadian Junior Golf Association tournaments. It seems that Rylan is predestined to be a great player in this sport.

Rylan Chan is only seven years old and has already been playing golf for two years, a sport in which he is beginning to go far despite his young age.

The young golfer of Chinese parents was born in Canada where he currently resides.

Like most kids, Rylan dabbled in other sports, but none of them as much as golf.

“Rylan was introduced to golf around the age of six. At first, he has semi-private lessons with a friend just for fun.

After several months, the head coach at his golf club noticed him and encouraged his parents to think about more serious golf training.

Since then, me and my wife became more serious about him playing golf and so I started taking him golfing every day for at least one or two hours, during the winter and/or summer.

The first thing Rylan does after school is always play golf. He loves putting, and the first thing he does when he gets to the Dome is usually to the putting green, and most of the time he dedicates to putting during that hour of practice. Encouraged by his coach, Rylan joined CJGA tournaments this summer and won second place in the 9-and-under section of the CJGA Linkster National Championship, as well as a few other CJGA tournaments where he took first, second and third place. His dream is to become a professional golfer and meet golf stars like Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. He often imagines himself becoming famous and has already designed a logo for himself and the golf products for him once he becomes famous in the future. Rylan received the invitation to play the Champion of Champions Junior World Championship in Northern Ireland, but he won’t be able to leave because my wife won’t be able to get off work (she is his caddy). “We as parents support him unconditionally in his golf journey, but we also look at what is good and bad for him and will guide him accordingly.” His father says Lung Sum Chan

“Rylan is an extraordinary phenomenon! His dedication and concentration in training is something admirable that can be an example for many children his age. I like to see his disposition in training, his kind way of being, the education and affection how he treats people in general. Rylan is undoubtedly on the right path; with the love and support of his parents and the teachings of his instructor “Andrew” he will go far.

I would like to see him play in our tour tournaments next year. That’s going to delight all the kids his age because he will be a great appearance in the LMPJ Tour tournaments.

The father of this little genius gives a lot of credit to what his son has done: “I wouldn’t be surprised if he is the first 7-year-old child who has such a desire for golf. I think he will make history in golf, as well as “Tiger and Rory.”

Congratulations Rylan! I advise you to continue on this path, aiming for the future, to see how many more tournaments you are going to win.” Although you are still very small, if you continue like this you will win many more.

May your determination and the admirable help and patience of your parents take you where you want to go with golf.” Words from Coach Luiz Martins.

 

Harry Feng
Press Coordinator

foto 2

Best student and player of 2023 in the kids U9 division, Chloe Wang helps and inspires the evolution of the sport at LM Golf School in Canada.

Golf is not one of the sports that can’t be played all year round in Canada. This year, golf courses closed in the third week of November and will only reopen again in mid-April 2024.  However, a 7-year-old Canadian golfer is giving hope to fans of the sport, that in the future, more young golfers may emerge whether in golf clubs, driving ranges, academies, and golf schools. This athlete’s name is Chloe Wang.

While all the spotlight was on the Juniors tournaments in Canada, Chloe was in her region, participating in the LMPJ Tour tournaments, an LM Golf School tour. With a memorable performance in almost every stage of this circuit, Chloe won 6 of the 8 tournaments she participated in to win the Best of the Year award!

Chloe has been playing golf since she was 4 1/2 years old. In 2020, her family moved to China, and it was there that she began learning golf motivated by her parents, Ray and Emily Wang, and uncle.  Despite her very young age, Chloe returned to Canada in 2022 and under the guidance of Coach Luiz developed further in golf and studies.

The young athlete also participated in three and won two tournaments of the CJGA circuit – Canadian Junior Golf Association. 

“I think I can help the evolution of golf. I want to be able to participate in all the tournaments at school, the LMPJ Tour and the World Championship in Northern Ireland (Champion of Champions) next year, make new friends, exchange experiences, and maybe win.  The events and championships I’ve participated in have helped me develop and I know I can become even better.  I know I can be a Major champion one day because my Daddy and Mom and my Coach believe in me.  I learned from my parents to always be grateful to my Coach because he not only teaches me golf, he allows himself to be my Caddie in tournaments and helps me a lot, (this has a value that cannot be measured, and no Coach does that).   It’s very easy when you play on the field with a professional caddy.  If one day it’s possible, I want to play in my coach’s country, Brazil, and I’m going to train to win. ” Said Chloe!

Despite her maturity in golf, Chloe still embraces her childhood. Every day, after class, Chloe spends 15 minutes playing with her friends from golf school. This is a time when they develop skills with structured and unstructured exercises, combining with other sports and especially soccer, they get candy and chocolates. 

Chloe was born in Canada. Me (father), and my brother (Chloe’s uncle) were avid golf fans, so Chloe grew up surrounded by golf. When we returned to Canada, we were lucky enough to meet Coach Luiz Martins, an expert in working with children and young people with a vast history in professional golf. Now she practices golf at the Dome three to four times a week for one and a half hours each time. On other days, Chloe is also learning piano, swimming, and skiing. My wife and I want her to continue with her passion and love of golf, and that golf brings many joys and achievements to her first and foremost, and to us too. We hope that golf can accompany Chloe throughout her life and become her favorite sport. For this reason, we are willing to do anything for this. We hope that Chloe will thrive under the guidance of Mr. Luiz. Words from Ray and Emily (Chloe’s parents)

Chloe, from a very young age, already showed her ambition within the sport. But now she’s even more focused. When asked what she would do with her life outside of golf and whether she would like to go to university, Chloe revealed her preferences.

“I want to go to college, with the help of my Coach because he sends the students there, my parents want that too, but I dream, and I want to be the youngest girl to play on the LPGA Tour.”

This fact is quite curious and difficult to beat. That’s because the youngest golfer to play in a PGA Tour tournament was Don Dunkelberger, at 11 years, 11 months, and 2 days. But that occurred in the distant year of 1937. In more modern times, the record for youngest on the PGA Tour is held by Hawaiian golfer Michelle Wie, when she was invited to play in the 2004 Sony Open men’s tournament, played on the famous American island. Unfortunately, she didn’t make the cut, but she made history by competing at just 14 years, two months, and 29 days!

Chloe’s future in children’s golf is a case of an athlete who, even at an extremely young age, is an international hope, in a sport that is famous in her country of birth even with a few months of the year to practice and that has 5.7 million golfers. All questions about how children deal with pressure when entering sports are important, as well as examples that sports, at any level of competitiveness, are fundamental in the formation of a young woman and transform her into a good citizen.

I always say that the way Earl Woods transformed his son Tiger into the phenomenon he became today is an example for many parents. Earl, first of all, believed in his son and talked constructively with Tiger to make him understand that he was a child prodigy since he was 2 years old.

Words without criticism, without demands, but powerful words from parents, can help their children overcome the most difficult things in their lives.

Tiger encouraged himself and boosted his momentum on the final day of the 1997 Masters, with the words of his father Earl: “One thing, tomorrow when you go out there, it’s gonna be the heart of one of the hardest rounds of your life but if you just be yourself, stay cool, it’s gonna be one of the most rewarding rounds of your life.”  Tiger felt the weight of his father’s words and the confidence he placed in him, and the next day he won his first victory in the Augusta Master.

As about little Chloe, I totally believe 1000% that little Chloe could be the next young girl to participate in an LPJA Championship in the future. Chloe has everything it takes to get there, and I hope nothing happens along the way that hinders or harms her journey. Says Coach Luiz Martins.

Harry Feng
Press Coordinator