Top young golfer joins the Robina Woods team

ONE of Australia’s brightest young female golfers, 17-year-old Anna Stanton (in photo), has taken another step forward in her promising golf career after securing a full-time position at the Robina Woods Golf Course on the Gold Coast. The Kilcoy-born youngster, who plays off a remarkable handicap of two, will begin work next week in the picturesque course’s pro shop while continuing to develop her on-course skills. She’s only been playing the sport for eight years, but Anna already has an impressive list of achievements under her belt, including joint second place in last year’s Queensland Junior Championships and a consistently high final position in the Greg Norman Junior Masters. As memorable weeks go, the last seven days must rate pretty highly for the gifted teenager. Coinciding with her appointment at Robina Woods is the news that she has been drafted into the Queensland Women’s Development Squad after being identified as one of the state’s top six young female golfers. Stanton’s bright and bubbly personality masks a steely drive and determination to reach the top and the signs are good for the girl who was raised on a remote Queensland cattle property. Anna moved to Brisbane at the tender age of thirteen to attend the Kelvin Grove Golf School of Excellence, but has now relocated to the Gold Coast where she is currently in the first year of a three-year course at the PGA International Golf Institute, studying for a Diploma in Golf Management. Her studies will to lead to a Bachelor of Business Sport Management course at Griffith University, which could leave the intrepid rising star with little time to practice one of her more unusual hobbies fire twirling! Stanton will also compete for the fifth and final time (17 years and under category) in December’s Greg Norman Junior Masters tournament, which will be held across three venues for the first time Robina Woods, The Colonial and Palmer Coolum Resort. She has made the cut in all but one of her five years in the championship and plans to go out with a bang this time at what will be her new home course. “I’m aiming for a top ten finish at least, declared the down-to-earth youngster. “I think I can do it and if keep playing the way I have been then there’s no reason why I can’t continue to improve. I love the concept of playing the tournament at three courses and can’t wait for it to start. It will test everyone and we’ll see who can adapt to playing on a different course each day. “I’ve got a lot of golf coming up in the next few months and I’m excited about the future. I felt my game had been on a plateau for a few years, but recently I’ve noticed some further improvement in my skills and that has given me a big boost. “It’s been a big couple of weeks for me and I’m really looking forward to this next challenge at Robina Woods. “Aside from playing it’s always been a goal of mine to work in the industry as well, so I couldn’t be happier. I’m keen to encourage more female golfers to come and play at Robina Woods and I’m also hoping to connect with the junior golfers there. After all, I’m still a junior myself and I’d love to see more young people playing the game. I’m eager to help where I can and I’ll be learning more and more about the industry along the way, Stanton said. Brian Doherty, General Manager at Robina Woods, said he was delighted to welcome one of Queensland golf’s best young talents to the team at the popular Gold Coast course. “We were looking for a female golfer to work in the pro shop and we asked the PGA to send us some potential candidates, Doherty said. “Of them all, Anna really stood out and we’re delighted to welcome her to the course. She’s highly driven and has achieved so much at such a young age. Furthermore, she’s done it by herself and is so self-motivated. Managing Director at Robina Woods and The Colonial, Mrs Angie Ison, believes Stanton will be a great ambassador for the course, despite her tender age. “Not only does Anna present well, she comes with fantastic credentials for someone so young. She will bring a lot to our courses and also to golf in Queensland, Mrs Ison said. She added: “We’re confident she will go on to enjoy a successful professional career in golf and we’re very proud to have her on board with us. “Having someone as bright and personable as Anna on our team can only encourage more female golfers to our courses, which will be great for the game.