Le Minh Nghia: The persistent journey of a 17-year-old boy who devoted himself to his golf dream

On the Mipec golf course ( Hanoi ) in the late afternoon, when many people have put away their clubs and left, there is still a figure diligently and persistently working on each swing. Under the yellow light shining on the grass, Le Minh Nghia is still attentively perfecting each movement, as if each swing contains the whole future.

In just a few days, Le Minh Nghia will enter the 2025 Gia Lai National Golf Championship, his second attempt at one of the toughest arenas of Vietnamese golf. For many, this is simply another tournament. But for Nghia, it is a milestone, where he will bring all his experience, perseverance and endless practice sessions to complete his goals.

From the first days on the field to the steps on the international arena

In 2019, when he was just a middle school boy, Nghia was taken by his father to a golf course near his home for the first time. It was just a day out, but it opened up a journey that lasted 6 years. “At first, I didn’t find it interesting, but after playing a lot, it became a passion, and that’s when I realized I wanted to pursue a career in golf,” Nghia recounted.

Unlike many of his peers who chose a professional path at a very early age, Nghia decided to study and practice at the same time. While some young golfers devote all their time to golf, studying online at night to practice more, Nghia still goes to school regularly.

Now, as a 12th grader at Kim Lien High School, he has to balance the pressure of the final year with a busy training schedule. “On days when I study all day, I take advantage of the evening to go to the practice field near my house. I study one session and then go to EPGA Academy to practice the other. I think I need to be persistent, because only then will I have enough strength to go far,” Nghia shared.

Looking at the record, Nghia may not be a name that regularly lifts the championship trophy. But each milestone shows clear progress, from top 5 Hanoi Junior Tour 2024, then top 2 Vietnam Junior Open 2024; top 2 100PLUS Srixon Junior Championship 2024 (Malaysia); top 2 Vietnam Junior Open 2024, to champion Hanoi Junior Tour 4th Leg, champion Road To Trang An Open 2025.

In 2025, Nghia experienced a series of challenging international tournaments: top 45 FCG Callaway World Championship 2025 (USA); top 79 FCG International Junior Championship 2025 (USA); top 7 TGA - Singha International Junior Golf Club 2025 (Thailand). Those trips not only brought him competition experience, but also broadened the worldview of the Hanoi boy. "Golf helped me become more open, more confident and especially calmer. On the course, just being a little impatient can ruin the whole round," Nghia said.

The first time he participated in the National Golf Championship in Hai Phong last year, Nghia felt the harshness. The cut result was not as expected, but instead of being disappointed, he considered it a valuable lesson. “I know I still have to improve many things, from physical strength to technique. But that is why I want to come back even more. The goal is not just to pass the qualifying round, but to play my best to achieve the best result,” Nghia affirmed.

This year, when returning to this tournament, Nghia brought with him more preparation, both technically and mentally. Behind the steady shots were hours of silent practice. “I tried playing at Quy Nhon course once. This is a very beautiful course but challenging. The wind is strong and the terrain is rough. However, I am ready for this challenge.”





Stick to your big dreams

After graduating from high school, Nghia's goal is to study abroad in the US or Australia (countries with developed golf industries), majoring in golf so that he can become a coach, manager or do golf-related work. "I want to live this passion to the fullest, no matter what role it is," Nghia said.

It is not an easy road. You have to maintain your academic performance while achieving good results in important tournaments to impress universities. But in Nghia, people see something more valuable than anything else: perseverance. “I know I don’t have many major titles, but every day I try to be better than yesterday. If I practice well and play well today, then I have made a step forward,” Nghia shared.

Le Minh Nghia's journey is still ongoing. At the age of 17, he still has many tournaments to test his skills and many opportunities to shine. The upcoming National Golf Championship - Gia Lai 2025 is not only a place to test his abilities, but also an opportunity for Nghia to prove to himself that perseverance and not giving up are the keys to reaching any goal.

No matter what the result is today, the young man will still return to the practice field the next day, continuing to hone each shot. Because for Nghia, golf is not just a sport, it is a journey of life, a way to grow up, and a place where he entrusts all his dreams.

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Source: https://tienphong.vn/le-minh-nghia-hanh-trinh-ben-bi-cua-chang-trai-17-tuoi-chay-het-minh-cho-giac-mo-golf-post1769095.tpo