HTA Kona sixth grader Mie F has officially earned her spot on one of junior golf’s biggest stages: April’s Drive, Chip and Putt National Finals in Augusta, Ga. After three years of competing at regionals, Mie brought poise and precision to claim that top spot in the Girls 10-11 division last month.
“I was really excited,” Mie says. “I didn’t even know I had won at first!”
The regional competition, which draws the top young golfers from the Southwest states, tested her skills in driving, chipping, and putting — the competition leaves little room for error. Mie says careful preparation and familiarity with the course helped her navigate windy conditions and tricky greens.
Her golfing journey began at age 8 when a family friend taught her to play.
“At first, I didn’t want to do it, but I eventually found it fun and started loving it,” she says.
Now she practices almost every day and competes in tournaments on weekends. HTA’s blended schedule makes balancing school and golf easier, she says.
“On virtual days, I can start practice earlier, then come home and finish my schoolwork.”
Looking ahead to nationals, Mie is excited and a little nervous.
“I’ve never golfed on TV before, and a lot of my friends will be watching,” she says.
She’s also looking forward to seeing familiar faces.
“Some friends from other age groups also qualified from Hawai‘i, so it’ll be fun to compete with them,” she says.
When she’s not on the course, Mie is just as ambitious in other areas of her life. She enjoys reading fantasy novels, surfing at Pine Trees, and practicing karate — she’s currently a blue belt. At school, she loves her humanities classes, and is particularly interested in learning about ancient civilizations. Long-term, Mie hopes to continue golfing in high school and college while pursuing her dream of becoming a veterinarian.
With her talent, determination, and supportive spirit, Mie is poised to make her mark on both the golf course and beyond.
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