For as long as she could remember, Yeji Kwon has dreamed of playing the sport of golf at the highest level. Today, with a strong supporting cast around her, the 19-year-old is closing in on that childhood dream.
Young Yeji grew up following the success of three-time Canadian Women’s Open champion, Lydia Ko, and LPGA star, A Lim Kim.
“You could see they were comfortable in any given situation on the golf course and their success was inspiring. I thought to myself that I really wanted to be able to play at that high level and have that success one day.”
Her father, Do Yoon Kwon, speaks about her determination to succeed from a young age.
“Yeji was practising sometimes over ten hours a day. She was working on every area of her game and because of her hard work, I could see she was getting better and better,” he said.
“I know she’s a really competitive person and always wants to do her best.”
The Canadian National Team member scored an impressive win as a bright-eyed 14-year-old when she captured the Alberta Women’s Amateur Championship in 2020.
“The weather wasn’t so good that weekend and the third round actually had to be cancelled,” she recalled.
“I really didn’t have any expectations going to into the tournament. I was thinking ‘let’s have fun out there and just try to make the cut’ and I ended up winning the tournament. I just have a lot of good memories from that weekend.”
Another notable victory came in 2022, when Kwon captured the Canadian Junior Girls championship.
“I was playing with a lot of my friends because it was the Canadian Junior Girls Championship so all the best junior girls from Canada were playing in the tournament. Every aspect of my game was on that week – my irons, driver, short game,” she recalled.
“With both my parents being there, it was so much fun. It felt great to win it and it seemed like all the practise and hard work was paying off.”
With the childhood dream of one day playing on the LGPA Tour, the amateur standout turned professional last year in its pursuit.
Kwon won her first tournament as a pro last July at the Genesis of Conway Central Arkansas Open.
“My game was on and everything was really good. I was feeling really comfortable and confident that week,” she said of her first pro win in Arkansas.
Kwon was asked to described the strengths in her game that has led to her success on the golf course.
“I feel my strengths are my distance off the tee and my iron play,” noted the five-foot six inch Canadian national team member.
The 19-year-old knows it’s still a work in progress and she is constantly learning and eagerly looking for ways to improve.
“I had played in the ORORO PGA Women’s Championship earlier that month and made a few mistakes that I knew I needed to work on. I felt in Arkansas, I was able to correct those mistakes,” she noted.
“Getting that first win as a pro felt really good and it gave more confidence in my game.”
Kwon says it also gives her a lot of confidence knowing she’s part of Golf Canada’s National Team Program.
“I’ve been on part of the National Team for three years. It’s been really great for my development as a golfer because we get the opportunity to compete in some of the biggest tournaments and getting that experience is really important,” she pointed out.
“It gives me confidence to see the success of past and current members from the program. I’ve learned a lot from the coaches that I’ve worked with over the years and just very thankful for all the support and all the resources available to me from Golf Canada.”
Kwon says her biggest supporters since day one has been her mom and dad; and it means everything to have them along in the pursuit of her childhood dream.
“My parents got me into the sport and were my coaches from the beginning. It really means so much to have both of them travel with me. They have sacrificed so much so I could have this opportunity to pursue my dreams, it’s something I’m really grateful for.”
The talented young Canadian has status on the Epson Tour this year and is holding her own – making the cut in two out of her first three tournaments.
As one of her biggest supporters, Do Yoon Kwon believes his 19-year-old daughter is on the right track towards reaching her dream and shares his words on encouragement.
“Be confident, have fun, work hard and keep doing what you’re doing.”