Ella’s US adventure - nine-year-old Kildare golfer heading back Stateside for another tournament
This time last year I spoke to Ella Kenny and her father James. We explored the whirlwind it had been over the last number of years as Ella discovered her love of golf and with it, an incredible talent.
We met to discuss the upcoming US Kids Golf World Championship event in Pinehurst, North Carolina. After arriving in the sweltering heat and beaming sun, the Kenny’s were straight from plane to course as the tournament began. After things not going Ella’s way over the three days it was going to be marked down as an incredible learning experience for the now nine-year old.
Each year, the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship welcomes golfers ages 5-12 to ten championship courses in the Pinehurst area. These courses, this event, and the community of Pinehurst come together to produce the World's largest junior golf tournament. The schedule consists of three rounds of championship play for the Van Horn Cup. Following that is a one-day best ball tournament featuring the top 12-year-old boys and girls which is contested on Pinehurst No.
Fast forward to the present day and Pinehurst has been shifted from the rear view mirror to the horizon once more as Ella eyes competition across the Atlantic once more.
“In America, I kind of messed up the first day and I did well on the second day. I think I can do better next time. I wanted another go at it,” Ella explained.
An insight into the mindset of the young golfer and the notion of the pushy parent was far from the truth in this case as Ella pleaded with her father for another US adventure.
“To qualify you have to go up to Northern Ireland to play in the winter tour. You have to hit sub par in two of the tournaments. We were indecisive on heading over again so we missed the first one of the six events so we had five tournaments to achieve it,” James said.
“That was easy enough,” Ella interjected with a smile.
After the decision was made, the qualification was far from in doubt and the hardest work Ella had to do to get her second chance at Pinehurst was convincing her dad. Although it appears she has supreme talent there also.
Reflecting on their previous visit further, Ella said: “(It was) good, it was a bit stressful on the first day. The grass and surfaces are different.”
“When we got out of the plane, you needed air and you got out of the plane and there was no air,” Ella recalled.
The humidity and extreme temperatures compared to the usual conditions of play for the Kenny’s has prompted a change in plans for this summer's tournament.
“We are going to head over a bit earlier this year to acclimatise,” James said.
The change in schedule was for the benefit of the whole family as much as the star golfer as the whole family recounted the sweltering heat they encountered while away from home.
Pinehurst and the US Kids World Championships was the biggest event in Ella’s personal playing schedule in 2022 but she had more golfing exploits in the calendar as she went to the Irish Open in Mount Juliet Golf & Spa Hotel with Irish star Shane Lowry. Just as he had promised her on The Late Late Toy Show.
“Shane was lovely, we got to walk in behind the ropes for nine holes and ask questions. He has so much time for everyone, he is signing everything between shots and it is hard to comprehend how he does it all,” James recalled.
There are also big prizes on offer closer to home as James and Ella hit Scotland for the European Championships this year. James see the lack of tournaments and on-course work ahead of the World Championships last time around as a mistake.
“We have a good few tournaments ahead of Pinehurst because the last experience taught us that we were driving range sharp. She could hit balls all day but it’s a bit of a difference of course. I always say it's like practising deep sea diving in a swimming pool,” James laughed.
In addition to the increase course time James and the Kenny family are naturally concerned about the work load for Ella's career at just nine years-old and ahve take steps to ensure that no injuries develop from her golf sessions.
“We have the K CLub this time around and we got a golf mobility session done as well from Paul Opperman who runs Dublin Sports Clinic because I was very conscious that she was hitting a lot of balls and injuries so that was good to break it up a bit,” James explained.
Both Ella and James have also extended their gratitude to the golfing community both locally and nationally who have supported her journey. Mentioning the courses and practice areas they frequent as well as support from other parents.
“You meet some incredible people. A father of one of the kids gave Ella two signed pairs of Rory McIlroy’s shoes. He saw her on Instagram and Ella and his daughter were paired up together. The memorabilia is now mounting up,” James said.
This interview was done ahead of another American adventure but also came shortly after another milestone for Ella. Ella was fresh off setting her record drive just a day before the interview (205 yards) on the 8th hole at Royal Curragh Golf Club.
Enjoying a light breeze at her back Ella hit her drive further than most could, especially at her age.
With her father James self-admittedly being far from a golfer himself, Ella gets some practice battles in with ex-professional Lillian Behan as she tests her skills against the former British Amateur Champion and Curtis Cup star at the Royal Curragh Golf Club.
“It’s competitive, it’s a good game and you need that kind of support. I don’t play so it is amazing to have that,” James said.
Ella also participated in Beat the Pro at the Irish Women’s Open last year and had her eyes set on Ireland’s biggest female golfing star.
“I beat a couple but I didn’t beat who I wanted to…Leona Maguire,” Ella laughed.
All these minor details and insights into the mindset are reminiscent of the stories you hear down the years of the close family members of now elite sportspeople about how they were so driven and focused in their younger years.
If you read any elite professional biography there is sure to be mention of their childhood competitive drive and it is clear to see that is present in this young golfer.
The face of women's golf in Ireland, the aforementioned Leona Maguire began full focus on her own golfing journey at aged nine, the age Ella is now and was the first Irish woman to win an event on the LPGA Tour.
Leona had the close support of her twin sister Lisa and is now is an inspiration to young girls in Ireland in a variety of sports.
A year older now and heading back to Pinehurst, Ella is sure to give it her best across the Atlantic. Ella also will have the backing of all in Kildare and in particular those supportive members of the Curragh Golf Club, The K Club and many more people at home who will be supporting her along her journey.
You can follow Ella’s journey to America on her Instagram page @Ellakennygolf.