Obi Chan - Golf

Name: Obi Chan

Sports: Golf - Member of Team Hong Kong

Location: Hong Kong

School: Malvern College Hong Kong (2025) -> Baylor University

Age: 18

https://www.instagram.com/obichan2025/ 

Give some context about your sports and what makes it so special or engaging for you personally?

Obi : I play golf, and I think how every course is set up differently and how the conditions vary day to day really challenges you to think.

How did you first get involved in your sport? What was it that drew you to it?

Obi: My parents' friend brought me to a range one day when I was 7 years old and I managed to hit it on my first try. I got told to sign up for some lessons and i started to enjoy it a lot more when i started competing.

Looking back at your journey in your sport so far, what have been some of the most significant milestones, learning curves, or turning points in your development as an athlete? What is one of your most memorable takeaways or proudest achievements in your sport so far? It doesn't have to be a win; it could be a personal breakthrough or a team experience.

Obi: Committing to a D1 school with a full ride was probably one of the most significant milestones as it compiled of the years of hard work. learning curves, id say every time i fail to win, or i disappoint myself in a tournament, I learn to become more eager to find mistakes and change them to improve.

Being a female athlete can sometimes present unique challenges. Could you share any obstacles you've faced and how you navigated them?

Obi: The recurring process was challenging, it was hard to perform at my best during the past 2 years as I knew I had pressure to perform to be recruited into a good school. I tried to stick to the game plan and just work on what i need to work on and stop comparing myself to other people (but discrimination wise there wasn’t anything).

What are some of the most valuable life lessons that your involvement in your sport has taught you, things that you carry with you even outside of the sport?

Obi: Discipline and learning that losing is okay. With balancing both sport and academics, golf has definitely taught me to manage my time well.

From your perspective, what is the scene like for your sport to be in Hong Kong, especially for girls and young women? What are its strengths, and where do you see opportunities for growth or greater participation?

Obi: It's developing nicely, we have equal opportunities in overseas competitions. opportunities in growth i guess being able to have friendly matches or training camps overseas with other teams to learn from each other.

Are you involved in coaching, mentoring younger athletes, or giving back to your sports community in any way? If so, what does that mean to you?

Obi: Yes, I volunteer in junior tournaments and teach local school children around 5 times every year. it means a lot as we are trying to grow the game.

What advice would you give to a young girl in Hong Kong who is curious about trying out your sport, or any sport for that matter, but might be feeling hesitant or unsure?

Obi: Try it out and get some experience. I enjoyed tennis more when I was playing both tennis and golf when i started, but competing was what made it clear to me that I liked golf more.

Finally, what are your future aspirations within your sport or your sporting life in general? And is there one key message you'd like to share with other young girls about the power or joy of being involved in sports?

Obi: I would like to see how I play in college, and if my game is on the right track, I would try to turn professional. I guess the message is that sport teaches you so much about sportsmanship and life in general. As someone who’s been around sport for my whole life, I never once regretted this decision, so just try if u are unsure and u never know.