From school to the world: Vietnamese youth golf opens the way to the international market

TPO - School golf is becoming an important stepping stone for young Vietnamese athletes to approach international competition, opening up scholarship opportunities and professional career paths. With the appearance of the first International Pathway Series (IPS) tournament in Vietnam, the journey from domestic training grounds to NCAA, the cradle of stars like Tiger Woods or Scottie Scheffler, is now closer than ever.

Nguyen Anh Minh competed at the US Junior Amateur 2025, a tournament where he made a big splash with the runner-up position.

Golf schools have become an important stepping stone for young Vietnamese athletes to access international competition, thereby opening up opportunities for scholarships and professional careers. Looking at the global picture, the US is still the top destination, where universities have strong golf teams and a scholarship system worth billions of dollars.

Golfers who have gone from school to the PGA Tour like Tiger Woods, Scottie Scheffler, Rose Zhang all started in NCAA and American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) tournaments, proving that school foundation is a key factor in shaping a career.

In Vietnam, the school golf model is still new but is developing rapidly. Domestic golf academies have begun to implement systematic training programs from a young age, focusing on both skill training and improving physical fitness and competition tactics.

Thanks to the partnership with the AJGA through the International Pathway Series (IPS), young athletes can now register in the Rolex AJGA Ranking right in Vietnam, reducing costs and shortening the time to access the NCAA.

Nguyen Anh Minh and Doan Uy attend US Junior Amateur 2025.

Typical examples such as Nguyen Anh Minh and Doan Uy are gradually asserting themselves by being selected to prestigious Division 1 schools in the US. They are living proof of the path from Vietnamese schools to the international playing field. Thanks to IPS, young golfers have the opportunity to directly interact with NCAA coaches, have their performance evaluated, improve their skills and apply for scholarships early.

This journey is not only about practicing on the golf course, but also about learning strategies, pressure management skills, and practicing sportsmanship . IPS tournaments in Vietnam will create a fair competitive environment, helping young golfers recognize their strengths and areas for improvement, and prepare thoroughly before entering the international arena.

In particular, the Trang An - AJGA International Pathway 2026 event from January 22 - 25, 2026 at Trang An Golf & Country Club will be a real opportunity for Vietnamese athletes to demonstrate their abilities in front of international coaches, be fairly evaluated, and accumulate AJGA ranking points - an important factor in applying for NCAA scholarships.

The journey from Vietnamese school golf to international tournaments is proof that, with proper preparation, effort and timely opportunities, any young talent can step out into the world , improve their personal level and enhance the reputation of Vietnamese golf on the international map.

Source: https://tienphong.vn/tu-hoc-duong-den-the-gioi-golf-tre-viet-nam-mo-loi-ra-quoc-te-post1791182.tpo