Kelly dreams of golf academy as she focuses more on coaching

Kelly Tan: ‘I’ve played golf for 20 years and competed at the highest level.’

PETALING JAYA: After spending more than two decades chasing her dreams on the golf course, Kelly Tan is preparing to embrace a new role as she seeks to pass on the knowledge and experience she has gained to the next generation.

The LPGA player said she plans to scale back her tournament schedule next year as she shifts her focus more towards coaching, taking the first steps towards her long-term ambition of establishing her own golf academy.

“My biggest dream now is probably to have a Kelly Tan Golf Academy.

“That will probably be the next phase of life,” said the 32-year-old.

“But for now, I’m just going to start slow as I’m winding down my professional career.

“I’m still playing selective events this year, but moving onto the next year, it will probably be more focused on coaching.”

Having competed on the LPGA Tour since 2014, Kelly said her experience from the junior ranks to the highest level could be valuable for the next generation of aspiring golfers.

“I’ve walked the path. I’ve played golf for 20 years and competed at the highest level. From the juniors to national level, to professional and to the biggest stage on the LPGA.

“I think there’s a lot of very valuable knowledge I’ve learned throughout the years of me travelling by myself abroad and living on my own.

“I hope to be able to translate this to the next generation because it’s not an easy path to take.

“But I’ve done it and I believe there’s going to be many new Kelly Tans that will surpass what I’ve done in this game,” she said.

With her regular training and competition schedule less packed than before, Kelly added that she is enjoying the slower pace.

“I’m not training as much, but mentally I feel better and less stressed. I’m less anxious and actually able to play a lot freer. It speaks a lot about this game,” she said.