The drive to succeed at golf

Darae Chung may be a golfing amateur, but she’s not green when it comes to experience. The 21-year-old already has enough awards to fill a bunker. The most recent being the National Collegiate Athletic Association Title in the US. She is also a two-time College Sport Wellington Girls Sportsperson of the Year and the 2019 NZ Age Group Champion. 

Local start to international career 

The former Chilton St James student is back in the city, preparing for the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific Championship. It’s the eighth edition of WAAP and the first time the preeminent competition has come to New Zealand. Heretaunga’s Royal Wellington Golf Club plays host and, having grown up in the Hutt Valley, Darae is looking forward to competing in her old ‘backyard’. “My home golf course was Shandon, but I was practising every day, so would go to Boulcott and Royal Wellington to change things up.” WAAP is invitation-only, with the winner gaining entry to professional championships around the world for a year. It’s not just the opportunity that excites the young golfer but the way the tournament is run. “They make it so easy for you. Everything is organised for you, like accommodations and travel, so that means I can concentrate on my game.” 

A scholarship from the University of Oregon has also allowed Darae to focus on golf. She has 18 months left at the American university studying Psychology. After high school, she initially considered going professional but realised she needed a stepping stone via the amateur circuit, and studying abroad was the answer. Oregon reminds her of New Zealand, “It feels like a home away from home — the topography and green forests remind me of Wellington…and the weather,” she laughs. 

Why choose golf? 

Golf might not sound like a teenage pursuit to some, but Darae discovered it early on. “I’d always been really active as a kid — I studied hip-hop, jazz dance, violin, and went to Korean school. Golf was just the thing that stuck.” Darae’s father was a strong influence. He’s a scratch player — that means someone with a zero handicap — according to Darae, this is an impressive achievement for a casual player. “I guess he wanted to do something to connect with his daughter — he taught me golf so we could do father/daughter tournaments together.” Winning then became a regular occurrence. “I got addicted to the buzz of winning. It kept me motivated for all those 6:30am runs before school and training every night.” 

Despite a gruelling schedule, Darae still found time to enjoy her city of birth. “I loved taking my dog for a walk along the Hutt River or goofing about at the Maungaraki Gorge waterfall.” Heading into the city with friends invariably ended up either at the Embassy Theatre or Cuba Mall. “R&S Satay Noodle House is my favourite restaurant ever. I’m sure my parents took me there while mum was pregnant. Just across the road is Kaffee Eis, which is still the best ice cream shop in the world.” And will she be visiting those old haunts while she is back in her hometown for the tournament? “The first thing mum said when I got home was: ‘Right, first night back — shall we head to R&S?’” 

You can see Darae compete at the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific Championship from 12 to 15 February 2026 at Royal Wellington Golf Club in Upper Hutt.