Golf: North's top player enjoys home before Asian tour

Caroline Bon enjoys coming home between tours around the world, saying Northland Golf Club is like a haven. Photo/Michael Cunningham

Chilling out in the garden and going for a round at the Northland Golf Club is what Caroline Bon looks forward to when she's in Whangarei. However, she'll be soon saying goodbye to that.

The professional golfer has been back in Northland for three weeks but heads off on her next adventure in China in less than a month - that's if she gets the appropriate visas.

"Getting a China business visa is the hardest thing I've ever done," the 26-year-old said with a laugh.

"How easy is it to come here and train? In China and Taiwan, you're paying a minimum of around $120 just to step on to a course, and then there's pollution and tons of people so I really look forward to coming home."

She recently took part in two pro-am events in Whangarei and Waitangi, which helped take her mind off the logistics of competing in Asia.

But next stop for this talented Northlander is China and Taiwan as she looks to qualify for co-sanctioned events on the Ladies PGA Tour.

"In Taiwan last year, I came 31st and, this year, the aim is top 10 in the money list - and same in China. That would get me on to the co-sanctioned events (with America and Europe) and they're worth quadruple what we play for.

"In Australia this year, I came 19th and only played four of the 10 events because I was injured. So coming 19th and playing less than half of the events is pretty decent."

So far Bon has got off to a good start and has achieved her first goal - setting a definite itinerary for the year.

"I've got 25-30 events to choose from. I've achieved my first mission of this year and now it's a case of playing," she said, adding that training was now the main focus until she flies out in early May.

"The other thing is financially getting enough money to play in all the events I want to, and if I'm achieving the top 10 where I want, then that'll happen."

In terms of where Bon wants to take her golf, for now she just wants to get on the co-sanctioned events and then look to secure a spot next year when she hopes to start filing some good scorecards.

Although, one day Bon does hope she can settle back into Northland - with a family and a big garden.