Tiana takes on the golfing world

When she first picked up a golf club, Bethania’s Tiana Belcher knew she’d found her thing – despite being just 6 at the time. 

Now 9, she has smashed the competition to become Australian Age Champion at the RACV Junior Age Championships in 2022 and runner up in 2023. This makes her the age 9 Australian champion – and Tiana has her sights set on even bigger goals. 

In the long term, this means the 2032 Brisbane Olympics and one day hoping to make the LPGA tour and become a professional golfer.  

In the short term, she’s fundraising to support her trip to Ireland next year, where she has been invited to compete in the Champion of Champions tournament. She’ll be one of the youngest there. 

Tiana is articulate, smart, and ambitious beyond her years, and quietly confident she’s got what it takes to take her golfing even higher.  

She says winning the Junior Age Championship was a surprise – but gave her confidence. 

‘I was very surprised and shocked. It was my first ever big event and I really liked it,’ she says. 

‘Sometimes I do get nervous in big events but when I get going, it feels really good.’ 

At the Champion of Champions event next year Tiana, who will be 10, will compete in the under-12 age group – her first time playing an 18-hole game. (Younger players play 9 holes.) 

During the invite-only competition, she will join 250 young people from around the world – and, more importantly, her parents. Mum Lynel is the organiser of Tiana’s demanding golf schedule, which involves practice after school twice a week and weekends spent driving to competitions across South East Queensland and beyond. 

Dad, meanwhile, is Tiana’s caddie, accompanying her in every game. They even wear matching shirts. 

‘We turn everything into a bit of a family adventure – for example, we will go camping or caravanning if she competes away from the area,’ Lynel says. 

‘We make it fun. 

‘Tiana has such determination – everything she wants to do, she will do her absolute best, and we are very proud. It’s also so great for her relationship with her dad for them to share this.’ 

As well as discipline, pure skill, and a supportive mum and dad, Tiana has been boosted by community support. Her school, Bethania Lutheran Primary, recently raised $308 towards Tiana’s Ireland trip by holding a free dress day – and Lynel’s place of work, Gotzinger Smallgoods, sponsors Tiana. 

Their sponsorship allowed Tiana to become a member of Royal Queensland Golf Club – a membership only accessible via a nomination and interview process. Gotzingers’ sponsorship has allowed her to be able to compete in more than 40 events for 2023.  

‘We are so appreciative of that sponsorship, and If it wasn’t for family, friends and the support from the community, I wouldn’t be able to support her like I do,’ Lynel says. 

As for Tiana, she says her demanding schedule – in addition to golf, she is a keen swimmer and piano player – is not hard to stick to. 

‘I love it and I never feel sick of it,’ she says. 

‘Mum never has to drag me out of bed.’ 

She wants to leave next year’s competition being in the top 15 in the world for her age group. 

‘I want to get my name out there so that people know who I am,’ she says. 

You can follow Tiana’s golfing journey by following her on Instagram.