Iyene Essien: Is this Nigerian teen the next women’s golf prodigy?

“I am actually happy with representing my nation as a result of I am making a reputation for myself and for my nation,” she stated.

“The whole lot occurs for a purpose — although you come second or third, it implies that you are getting nearer and nearer to first,” she stated, noting the expertise of taking part in on a world-renowned course was a win in itself. “The truth that I might play on the identical course as Rory Mcllroy performed on and be in the identical neighborhood of all that historical past was actually essential to me.”

As she continues to make a reputation for herself and her nation, Nigerian president Muhammadu Buhari is taking discover. Following the event, the president’s adviser launched a press release saying Buhari, “joins all Nigerians in celebrating this nice teenager who’s doing a lot for the nation.”

“It was actually sudden, and I admire it,” Essien advised CNN in response.

Following her goals

Time and time once more, Essien has confirmed she is not afraid of a problem. Whereas she typically finds herself competing in opposition to older gamers, she says it truly “offers me much more motivation simply to do higher.”

She says her positivity and drive is impressed by considered one of her best position fashions, Tiger Woods.

“He has proven loads of resilience within the recreation,” she stated, noting his efforts to push by way of a sequence of accidents and profession setbacks. “He simply retains taking part in golf and he actually loves the game, although he is not profitable.”

Essien says the absence of a extra established {golfing} program has been difficult, notably with regards to financing.

She says her household has been “instrumental” in funding her profession, nevertheless it’s been a “wrestle” and believes, “if I had an enormous pot to work with, I’d have executed extra competitions over time than I did and received extra trophies.”

Eager to pursue extra alternatives, Essien, who was born within the state of New York however raised in Nigeria, moved again to the US in 2021 to enroll within the Taft College in Watertown, Connecticut.

“The competitors is excessive (within the US),” Essien stated. On a median day, {the teenager} says she sometimes practices for 3 hours after class, and it may be troublesome to navigate the fragile dance between pursuing knowledgeable profession and being an “common” teen.

“Typically I truly actually wish to go hang around my pals and simply loosen up and be an adolescent principally. However there are additionally priorities. I’ve to do not forget that if I wish to be in a better place in golf or at school then I’ve to place within the time within the work,” she stated.

Inspiring the following technology

Along with turning into a golf professional, Essien needs to pursue a level in engineering with a specialization in synthetic intelligence.

“I hope to get a golf scholarship to a (high) college… and if it turns into doable, I hope to play within the LPGA,” she stated.

With a budding profession forward, she additionally hopes to pave the way in which for different Nigerians for comply with in her footsteps.

“I hope my achievements and the place I’m proper now in golf can truly encourage Nigerians who wish to play golf,” she stated, leaving aspiring golfers with this piece of recommendation: “work laborious and hold a superb mentality as a result of all the pieces occurs for a purpose and in due time, all the pieces will go your approach.”