Tiff is strokes ahead of the rest
The Mt Edgecombe Golf Club member recently took part in the Cell C SA Women's Open.
WHEN she was just eight years old Tiffany Avern-Taplin received one of her best birthday presents, her first set of golf clubs.
As a sports crazed youngster she managed to find her stride in a game that takes patience and practice. She found her inspiration in the form of her mother, who played the game and is now one of the South Africa’s leading golfing amateurs.
The Mt Edgecombe Golf Club member recently took part in the Cell C SA Women’s Open. It was her second appearance at the 72-hole tournament, co-sanctioned by the Sunshine Ladies Tour (in partnership with the WPGA of South Africa) and the Ladies European Tour.
“It’s such a privilege and an honour to have played in the tournament. It was definitely an exciting and nerve wracking experience. You get to gauge what level you are at, so it’s a huge learning curve. Going head-to-head with the likes of Ashleigh Simon and Lee-Anne Pace was great for my game,” she said.
Tiffany admitted there weren’t as many opportunities for female golfers as there was for male golfers in the country.
“There aren’t enough platforms for female golfers in the country so it’s always awesome to get to play in the SA Women’s Open. It’s one of my favourite tournaments on one of my favourite golf courses” she said.
The 26-year-old finished the tournament just outside the top 60, but said her goal is to one day reach the top. Her initial foray into the game wasn’t as smooth as one would expect. Tiffany admits it was one of the sports she’d achieved the least in.
“I played every sport imaginable when I was at school. I remember at age 13 having to make a choice between three sports; hockey, tennis and golf. I chose golf, it was the sport I’d achieved least in, but was most passionate about. And the rest, they say, is history,” she said.
Her choice translated into major accolades as the golfing star won the SA U16 and U18 girls golfing championships. Her dream is to one day compete professionally, and her performances certainly indicate that the world will see more of the plucky North Coaster.
