Golf: Taranaki players picked in development programme

NZ Sports Wire 

Golf New Zealand has announced selections and re-selections for Phase Two, Three and Four of its 2025-26 Talent Development Programme.

The programme's purpose is to support the development of talented young New Zealanders who aspire to reach their full potential.

Phase Two of the programme supports emerging young players who are aged under 19 and who have the potential and motivation to continue to develop their game.

The following players have been selected for the 2025/26 Development Squad cycle:

Girls: Yoonae Jeong (Otago), Queenie Lang (Auckland), Sophie Yu (Harbour), Teresa Wang (Harbour), Cherry Lee (Auckland), Sarah Li (Harbour).

Boys: Ricky Kang (Otago), Isaac Steel (Waikato), Ryan Xie (Auckland), William Dunsmore (Manawatu Wanganui), Ishaan Shah (Auckland), Kevin Bang (Bay of Plenty).

Golf New Zealand’s Talent Development Manager, Liz McKinnon, said she is excited to be supporting this group.

“Most recently Phase Two of the programme has been quite fluid, with various players at this level being provided camps and international traveling opportunities. This year we have formalised the squad so we can work with them more closely throughout the year.

“They are a young and highly motivated group who are wanting to learn and develop their game. We look forward to working with them.”

The Golf New Zealand Academy, Phase Three and Four of the Talent Development Programme, welcomes several newly selected players while continuing to support returning members.

Phase Three of the academy sees Yuki Miya (Canterbury), Brodie Ferguson (Taranaki) and Chloe So (Auckland) invited into the programme.

They will join the reselected group of Cooper Moore (Canterbury), Robby Turnbull (Auckland), Mitch Kale (Bay of Plenty) Jack Van Prehn (Taranaki), Emma Zheng (Auckland), Juwon Kim (Harbour).

Golf New Zealand High Performance Manager, Gregg Thorpe, said he was looking forward to watching the new members take their opportunity in the Golf New Zealand Academy.

“It’s great to see Miya, Ferguson and So come into Phase Three, the Golf NZ Academy. They are three talented young players who are working hard, and we believe have the potential to make the most of this opportunity.”

Kale and Van Prehn, who have recently been absent from competitive play due to injury, remain part of the programme under medical extensions.

Josh Bai leaves the programme for now to take up a scholarship at the University of Florida.

Golf New Zealand is also continuing support for Fiona Xu, Sam Jones, and Kazuma Kobori in Phase Four of the programme.

These players have shown exceptional promise as they have transitioned into the early stages of their professional careers.

Thorpe said it was pleasing to see the career progression of talented athletes.

“It's been great to see the progression of our early-stage professionals through the programme phases and as New Zealand amateur representatives.

“They have progressed their games and their tour statuses well and are all working toward cementing their positions on their respective tours.”