Chantelle Cassidy
Cambridge golfer Chantelle Cassidy, who plays out of the Riverside Golf Club, will be travelling to Morocco next month in an attempt to qualify for the 2018 Ladies European Tour.
Ranked as New Zealand’s No1 Women’s Amateur golfer and with a world ranking position of 71, Chantelle has been involved with the NZ Golf Academy programme for the last 7 years, representing New Zealand at numerous team events across Ireland, Singapore, Australia, South Korea, Mexico and as an individual in Japan, Peru and China.
“It was when I first made the NZ Golf Academy that I was convinced that I could fulfil my dream of becoming a professional golfer and perhaps make a living playing the sport I love so much,” Chantelle said.
“I’ve got to an age now that I have to test the waters and see if I have what it takes to make that dream of mine become a reality. It was both Lydia and Guy who said I should give it a go.”
Chantelle played alongside Lydia Ko, who also had Guy Wilson as her coach, when they were in the NZ Academy together on trips to Ireland and Singapore, and they still keep in touch. “It was especially great to catch up with Lydia at the recent NZ Open in Auckland,” said Chantelle. “I had the opportunity to play nine holes with her in a practice session, we spoke about old times and what life was like as a professional golfer amongst other things.”
Chantelle said she has achieved as much as she can as an amateur golfer in New Zealand, and knows it will be a rigorous process qualifying for the Ladies European Tour, facing three pre-qualifying school tournaments in Colombia, Vietnam and Morocco. “Making the final qualifying school tournament guarantees you access to play in a lower tier of tournaments on the pro circuit of the Ladies European Tour,” Chantelle explained.
“I admit it isn’t going to be easy, but you can only go over there and try your best.”
Chantelle added that she has been fortunate to have had generous support with financial donations from Cambridge Lions along with a few Cambridge business people. “Without their help I wouldn’t have the opportunity to pursue my dream and for that I am very grateful. Being successful with this campaign is a way I can repay them for the faith they show towards me.”
