Golf New Zealand’s 2024 Talent Development Programme roster is being refreshed after several of New Zealand’s leading young golfers have moved into different stages of their development over the past year.

Kazuma Kobori (Rangiora), Sam Jones (Manaia), and Fiona Xu (Titirangi) have moved into Phase Four of the programme after transitioning into the professional game.

They’ll now receive support as rookie professionals over the next year as they refine their skills and further their experience on the international stage.

Robby Turnbull (Remuera), Jack Van Prehn (New Plymouth), and Cooper Moore (Clearwater) join Eunseo Choi (Takapuna), Jayden Ford (Judgeford), Joshua Bai (Akarana), and Zack Swanwick (Napier) in Phase Three of the programme and will be part of the National Academy, where the talent development team will work with them and their primary coaching teams to identify opportunities for improvement and refine their individualised plans.

Jayden Ford. Photo: Supplied.

The trio joining the incumbents in the National Academy have shown steady improvement in 2023 and 2024.

Van Prehn recently finished fifth at the Australian Boys Amateur and has performed solidly in several Jennian Homes Charles Tour events, including a sixth at the TSB Taranaki Open and a seventh at the Race to Tieke.

Cooper Morroe finished 12th at the Australian Boys Amateur but recorded a third-place finish at the Jack Newton Junior Classic last year. He also has three runners-up and three third-place finishes in district stroke play events.

Robby Turnbull has shown impressive form to work his way into the National Academy, accumulating six wins, including the New Zealand Stroke Play and the South Island Under 19 Boys. Internationally, he’s finished third at the Jack Newton Junior Classic and sixth at the Australian Boys Amateur.

Sam Jones. Photo: Supplied.

Golf New Zealand High Performance Manager Gregg Thorpe says the success of Kobori, Jones, and Xu highlights what it will eventually take for these players to reach the professional level of play.

“It's always refreshing to see the next generation of talent take the step up into the National Academy.  We look forward to supporting these young players, their parents, and their wider coaching teams to help them progress.” 

As many of the young women eligible for National Academy selection are attending college in the US, Golf New Zealand is extending an offer of support for them to stay connected to home.

“We know the opportunity and value that a college scholarship presents, but we would also love to stay connected with our young people as they spread their wings,” says Gregg.

“We look forward to supporting our players at home and overseas as they chase their golfing dreams.”

 Golf New Zealand’s Talent Development Programme