Looking back on my time playing in the ANNIKA SÖRENSTAM Golf Invitational in Florida was like living a dream. At just 16 years old, getting to be part of such a famous tournament felt incredible.
My name is Ellandri van Heerden, and when I stepped onto the Eagle Creek Golf Club, I was filled with excitement and anticipation.Meeting players from different countries was a great experience. Watching how they played and behaved on the course taught me a lot. I learned that even though some players had fancy equipment like the trackman, being invited meant I belonged there.
During the tournament, I was amazed by how well the top girls stayed calm and stuck to their routines on every shot, even on tough greens and wet fairways. The course was different from what I was used to, with steep slopes and fast greens, which made it challenging.
The weather was unpredictable, with fog and rain on the final day. Seeing some players do well despite the bad weather showed me that determination is key. Florida is a great place for golfers, with lots of courses and amenities like Top Golf driving ranges, which provide detailed stats. Getting ready for such a big tournament took a lot of hard work. I trained twice a day in the hot weather of Bloemfontein to be ready. And dealing with jet lag from traveling so much meant I had to stretch a lot to stay flexible on the course.
Overall, playing in the Annika ANNIKA SÖRENSTAM Golf Invitational was an amazing experience that showed me I could compete with the best in the world. It proves that with dedication and hard work, anyone can achieve their dreams in golf, just like I did.
