Rose Zhang Makes Big Impression With First Nations Kids
LPGA Tour Rookie Star Rose Zhang Was A Hit With First Nations Youth At Her Clinic At Musqueam Golf & Learning Centre - Image Credit: Brad Ziemer/BC Golf
By Brad Ziemer, British Columbia Golf
The first question came from nine-year-old Constanza Ordaz, who asked Rose Zhang something all frustrated golfers would like to know. “What does she do when she misses something, when she misses a shot,” the youngster asked Zhang. “What do you do?”
Zhang and everyone who had gathered at the Musqueam Golf and Learning Centre chuckled at Constanza’s question. “I wish there was a thing so you couldn’t miss on the golf course,” Zhang said. “But it’s frustrating. Golf is hard.”
Before she set foot for the first time on Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club, the site of this week’s CPKC Women’s Open, Zhang dropped by the Musqueam Golf Centre on Tuesday morning for a clinic organized by Golf Canada and the British Columbia chapter of the First Tee.
Zhang followed a traditional Musqueam drummer to the first tee, where about 50 youth from various First Nations bands had gathered to watch Zhang hit a few shots and answer their questions.
The kids had a great time and it appeared Zhang did as well. She complimented the youngsters for their good questions and gave thoughtful responses to their queries. It wasn’t that long ago that Zhang was one of those kids, curious about a new game and hoping to conquer it.
She has done just that. Zhang was a dominant amateur player, winning, among other things, a U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship, two NCAA individual championships with Stanford University and the Augusta National Women’s Amateur.
She hasn’t missed a beat since turning pro at the age of 20 in early June. She won her first LPGA Tour event as a pro. That hadn’t been done in 72 years. Since then she has added three other top-10s. In a brief media interview before her clinic, Zhang said she welcomes the opportunity to try and give something back to the game and particularly to children just beginning their golf journey.
“This is what I want to do with my platform,” she said. “I feel really humbled to be someone who can give back to a community who is inspired and wants to go out and try the game of golf. I just feel really lucky to be able to spend time here.
“I do understand that I have a presence and the most important thing for me is to just take care of what I am doing and if people find me inspiring or if I am doing the right things that carries on a long way. That is the ultimate goal, just to be a person that I am proud of and that other people can be as well.”
Image Credit Brad Ziemer/BC Golf
Zhang Was Presented With A Beautiful Six-Foot Carved Oar By The Musqueam Band
Zhang, a California native, said she didn’t want to miss the opportunity to make what is her first visit to Canada. “I have never been to Canada, so this is a first-time experience,” Zhang said. “I am really excited to play the golf course. I have heard it is absolutely beautiful. I know it’s narrow with small greens, so there is a level of difficulty that every single player will not only experience but also enjoy.”
Back to Constanza’s question. Zhang did a lot more than compliment her on the question. She spoke at length about how important it is not to dwell on those missed shots or mistakes. Keep moving forward, she told the kids. “Sometimes it is important to take a step back after not hitting a good shot or when you miss a shot,” Zhang said.
“It is easier said than done, but sometimes you have to let it go. . .Golf is like life, if you are not hitting a good shot and if you end up in the rough, you still have to play from there. Just fully commit to every decision you make and as long as young know that you tried your best and hit the best shot you could have results are not applicable.”
Zhang had the complete attention of the kids and took time to hit a few shots. She even missed a shot, hitting a wedge a little fat, but then did what she had just told her audience: she moved on and hit another one. That one, by the way, was perfect.
Zhang was presented with a beautiful six-foot carved oar by the Musqueam band, which was clearly delighted to have her spend time with First Nations kids. A number of Musqueam elders were also in attendance.
“It was a privilege and an honour to have her come down here and spend time with our kids and elders who are here,” said Musqueam chief Wayne Sparrow. “To be able to welcome her here to our reserve lands is very special to our community.”