The Sunday Mail
TO the casual observer the story of Emily Jones can best be described as a salutary tale of the sad state of women’s golf in Zimbabwe.
How else can one explain the fact that the two biggest names in women’s golf today are a pair of 14-year-olds in Emily and her best friend, travel companion and golfing rival Daniele Bekker?
Jones – a Form Two pupil – officially became the queen of the local greens when she won the Zimbabwe Ladies Open at Royal Harare Golf Club a fortnight ago. Bekker came third, behind South Africa-based Batsirai Tilowakuti who was second.
Jones carded a 72, 81 and 75, to finish with on 228 and beat a seasoned crop of golfers.
That, along with her successful defence of her Zimbabwe Junior Open crown and victories at the Zambia and Lesotho Ladies Open, have made the world sit up and take notice. So the story may not be a reflection of how far Zimbabwean golf has fallen – but rather about the inspiring tale of a lass who is headed to the top.
Jones’ father and coach Geraint has invested a lot into making Emily the star she is today.
“As much I would like to take credit for her success, it’s been all her,” Geraint said last week. “Emily has also benefitted from the fact that Zimbabwe currently has one of the best junior golf programs, something I also went through myself. Yes I am her father and coach but this is all team effort.”
Emily, who is also a member of the women’s national team, said winning the Zimbabwe Open made her believe in herself even more.
“There was a lot of pressure going into the tournament, as there were a couple of players who were gunning for me after I had beaten them in Lesotho and Zambia,” she said. “I had to show that those wins were not flukes and I am glad I managed to do that. It feels great to be the champion.”
But the win, as historic as it was, is not the most charming story coming out of the Jones’ household. That honor belongs to the tale of how father and daughter have used golf to bond.
Their story begins some 12 years ago, when Emily was 18-months-old and her parents had just divorced.
“I don’t want to get too personal and break down, but for as long as I can remember it’s just been the two of us. I split with her mother, whose identity I would like to keep secret, when Emily was about 18-months-old. She was struggling with some personal issues, and we decided I should get custody of Emily,” narrated Geraint.
While spending time on the golf course was meant to give Geraint a chance to babysit while also coaching others, it opened his eyes to how special his daughter was.
“Fast handing and strength are two key components of any golfer and I realised early on that my daughter had had both. Immediately my instincts were into overdrive when I realised that she had some interest in the sport and some desirable qualities. I enrolled her in the Zimbabwe Golf Association programmes and I have no regrets at all,” he said.
Now as she sits at the top of the local golf scene Emily Jones is dreaming big.
“I want to turn pro and one day win the US and British Open Ladies tournaments,” she said.
