A NIGERIAN TEENAGER BECOMES THE NEXT WOMEN’S GOLF PRODIGY
Iyene Essien is a Nigerian and the second place Champion of champions world championship competition that was held in Northern Ireland where she represented and came out victorious.
In an interview, she remembers that moment when her dad took her to a golf course when she was 5, in Abuja, Nigeria, where she saw a boy teeing off. Intrigued by what she saw, she asked her Dad if she could go into golf.
Her father, surprised by her question asked her if she wanted to do golf, and her response was a Yes! Supporting his daughter’s ambition, he got her a coach and she started practicing the rest has been history.
BACKGROUND
Iyene Essien was born in the state of New York but raised in Nigeria, she moved back to the US in 2021 to enroll in the Taft school in Watertown.
On an average day she says, she trains for 3 hours after class and it can get difficult trying to navigate pursuing a career and being an average teen. She said sometimes she wants to hang out with friends and relax, but because she’s set her priorities. She knows that to be in a higher place in golf or school then she has to put in the time and work.
A NIGERIAN TEENAGER BECOMES THE NEXT WOMEN’S GOLF PRODIGY.
AWARDS
Iyene went into her first competition the same year and proved to be the queen that she is. “I found that cool,” she said.
At age 11, Iyene was already representing Nigeria at international competitions across the US, UK, and Africa including Morocco, Botswana, and South Africa.
At Age 16 she is ranked the No.1 junior girls golfer in Nigeria. She has won 17 medals and 11 international tournaments under her belt and hopes to win the country’s first gold medal in golf at the coming 2022 Summer Youth Olympics.
“I am proud of representing my country because I’m making a name for myself and my country.
Everything happens for a reason, even though you come second or third, it means that you’re getting closer and closer to first. Playing on a world-renowned course was a win itself, the fact that I could play on the same course as Rory McIlroy played on and be in the same vicinity of all that history was very important to me”
Iyene says in an interview.
She was recognized by the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. President Muhammadu Buhari celebrated her as she’s doing so much for the country.
She has proven not to be afraid of facing any challenge as she’s faced with competing with older players.
She says ” it gives me even more motivation just to do better”
INSPIRATION
She says her positivity and drive are inspired by one of her greatest role models. Tiger Woods.
“It has shown a lot of resilience in the game, his efforts to push through a series of injuries and career setbacks, he just keeps playing golf and he loves the sport, even though he’s not winning she says.
Her family has been instrumental in funding her career too and other supports.
And with her achievements so far, she hopes to get a scholarship to a top university and also to play in LPGA.
Congratulations to Iyene Essien thus far.
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