Talented young Central Coast golfer Kiara Connolly-Jackson will head to South Africa in October to compete in the Devonvale Boland International Junior Open.
Her remarkable story of growth is the result of old-fashioned hard work and a demonstrated unique work ethic for someone so young.
Backed by a strong support network, Kiara’s journey is one of absolute persistence and belief in herself.
Kiara, a student at St Brigid’s Catholic School at Lake Munmorah, was offered the opportunity of a lifetime by participating in the South Africa tournament, October 6-9, where success or a top 10 finish can open doors and pathways that will change the course of her life, with the potential to stamp her mark on the international stage.
Kiara already has a significant history of local wins, and has a loyal following around the Central Coast region and was the 2024 Kooindah Waters Golf Club Ladies Champion.
She’s also a member for the NSW State team.
Coach Zach Churcher said his star pupil was determined to become a professional golfer.
“Everything she’s done, she’s earned on her own,” Churcher said.
“We’ve both worked really, really hard.
“Right from the start, she said she wanted to become a professional golfer, so we just got on with it.”
Churcher said the South African tournament would be a great experience for his protégé.
“It will help with exposure and open doors to sponsors,” he said.
Supporter Lyn Woods of Ravensdale recently set up a GoFundMe page to help with Kiara’s travel costs which achieved and exceeded its target in a matter of days.
An article in a weekend newspaper discussed shark attacks. It quoted shark attacks
in the near Sydney area as being 4 deaths and 4 injured in 1934 alone. The problem was addressed by installing shark nets at most of the beaches in the near Sydney area. Since then shark attacks appear to have stopped although attacks in NSW beyond the netted areas still occur. It beggars belief that drum lines and the release of captured sharks 25 km further out to sea could be a satisfactory solution. Drones might help identify sharks, particularly after an attack. but nobody is suggesting that drones could be a practical solution. If shark nets are removed from a local beach I trust that there will be signs advertising the fact.If Central Council does not do this it will be even more liable in event of a damages claim. Netting for about 75 years may well have reduced the local shark numbers. We do not read of the massive sharks reported in the early 19 hundreds. Australia has a coastline of 15,000 km. Perhaps just a bit of it could be kept for recreational purposes.