Ramkisoon maps out a strong future

Monique Ramkisoon is the SAGDB's top girl in KZN

She may only have been playing golf for four years, but Kwazulu-Natal golfer Monique Ramkisoon already has a great future mapped out.

"I aim to practice really hard because I want to make it really big," said Ramkisoon, who tops the Junior Golf Foundation Under-16 Girls Rankings in KwaZulu Natal.

The South African Golf Development Board golfer recently won the 2010 Scottburgh Golf Club Ladies Strokeplay and Match Play championships and she is putting up a serious challenge for the top spot in the girl's u/18 Order of Merit.

It has all come as a result of hard work, dedication, and support from her golfing idol - her dad.

A few years ago cricket was her sport of choice but on the advice of father Kevin, she decided to switch her focus to golf.

"My dad used to push me to play golf and because cricket clashed with golf, I decided to give it up and take golf seriously."

She has a close relationship with her father, fuelled by their competitive natures.

"I have beaten him quite a few times and I also beat him at the club championships," she said, adding that while her dad will accept the loss, it is usually followed by an excuse. "He admits defeat but then says it's not the right time, or he played bad or something like that."

Ramkisoon started playing golf in 2006. After performing in a couple of junior tournaments, she enrolled in the SAGDB programme in KwaZulu-Natal on the invitation of SAGDB development manager, Joseph Kunene. She is currently rated as one of the SAGDB's top girls.

During the Scottburgh Golf Club Ladies Strokeplay tournament, she shot rounds of 78 and 82 and in the Match Play competition, won the final 6&5.

Match Play is certainly something that Ramkisoon enjoys.

When pressed, she even confessed that she beat a professional golfer and Sunshine Tour winner, something that not too many other lady golfers can declare.

"Yes, I beat Prinavin Nelson in match play at Scottburgh," she admitted shyly.

The Umzinto Secondary School learner has a strong desire to play golf in the future and a strong desire to make the game a big part of her life.

"I would love to get into a university and get a golf scholarship, maybe go to America, and then take it from there."

The development programme has not only improved her prowess on the course, it has also given her opportunities to learn valuable life skills.

"Last year in Johannesburg we had a life skills program which was very helpful," she said.

Whilst golf is a big part of her life now and probably in the future, travelling around the world is also among her plans. Even before her dreams of playing golf began, Ramkisoon had the desire to go places.

"I love travelling and it would be nice to see the world. For a long time, I have wanted to become a pilot," she said.

She added that her ultimate kind of lifestyle would be to fly herself around the world and play golf: "I don't have to pay anyone, I can just fly myself."

She is on track to making this a reality and continues to enjoy her favourite aspect of the game which she describes as: "playing with my friends, meeting new people and playing against them for the first time."