Age is no barrier at the 2025 WAAP Championship golf tournament

56-year-old Australian Gole is an experienced face with a golf career spanning more than 4 decades, while 12-year-old Vietnamese Bao Chau is just starting her journey. The presence of Gole with the title of "oldest" and Bao Chau with the title of "youngest" in the list of 95 athletes competing at Hoiana Shores Golf Club designed by Robert Trent Jones, from March 6-9, is considered an inspiration for the young and veteran golf community in the region.

Although not expected to win the 2025 WAAP Championship in the 72-hole stroke play with the prize of a spot in 3 prestigious professional women's major tournaments, the presence of Gole and Bao Chau is considered an achievement in itself.

Golfer Nadene Gole

"I'm very excited to be alongside such talented young players. I have nothing to prove but I'm not turning my back on this opportunity," Gole said ahead of the 2025 WAAP Championship. In fact, Gole has been on the professional tour, and last year dominated the senior women's golf scene by winning both the R&A Women's Senior Amateur and the US Senior Women's Amateur. In doing so, Gole became the first Australian to achieve that feat. Also last year, Gole entered the top 100 of the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) and took the top spot in the world's senior women's division.

As a professional, Gole played in Australia, Japan, and Europe, winning the Danish Open on the Ladies European Tour in 1996. But not long after, Gole hung up his golf clubs to start a family. When both children were 20, Gole returned to golf as an amateur and soon won many senior tournaments across Australia and Asia.

Gole started playing golf at the age of 12. At that age, Bao Chau could be proud that he was 5 years older than his Australian predecessor in terms of seniority in golf. In 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic, Bao Chau was introduced to this sport, practicing golf with his father and brother in the flower garden in front of his house. Then Bao Chau soon showed his talent, by 2024 he had 2 wins and 5 times entered the top 10 in the finals of the WAGR-scored tournaments in Vietnam, in addition to the 20th place in the Malaysian Women's Amateur Open.

12 year old golfer Nguyen Bao Chau

Bao Chau is currently ranked 710th in the world, the third highest among the six Vietnamese representatives competing at the WAAP Championship this week. Bao Chau considers himself to be the strongest on the tee, averaging 220 yards. Bao Chau admits that he needs to improve his "short game" and this aspect will have to be at its sharpest to be able to pass the cut. This young talent believes that goal will be achieved if he can pass both rounds with 75 strokes.

For Gole, as well as Bao Chau, Hoiana Shores Golf Club ( Quang Nam ) is an interesting challenge. "This course is spectacular and challenging, especially when the wind is blowing," Bao Chau commented after a few practice rounds before the 2025 WAAP Championship. On the contrary, this week, Gole came for the first time. "The course has many interesting things, including many places that make me feel like I'm playing golf in Ireland," Gole said.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/tuoi-tac-khong-la-rao-can-o-giai-golf-waap-championship-2025-185250304201741132.htm