“My Dad told me straight away and my mum was right there too. They were both super excited.”
For Barber, the invite represents a remarkable opportunity to compete against some of the region’s most accomplished amateur golfers on her home course.
“It helps a lot because I know the course well. I am familiar with the surrounds, so that gives me a bit more confidence,” she said.
Barber enters the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific (WAAP) following a strong 2025 season, having won the Australian Junior Age Division Championship (Girls 11–12), placing second in the New Zealand Women’s Stroke Play Championship – competing against seasoned adult golfers – and helping Wellington secure third at the New Zealand Women’s Interprovincial Tournament.
“Playing well lately also makes me believe I can compete and enjoy the week.”
The young Wellington golfer recently participated in the WAAP Academy in November, where she trained alongside fellow Royal Wellington member Amy Yu and players from across the Pacific Islands region.
The week-long development programme provided access to world-class coaching in sport psychology, short game, swing technique and Trackman data analysis.
When asked about her feelings heading into the championship as the youngest player in the field, Barber admitted to a mix of emotions.
“Definitely both excited and nervous,” she said.
“I am excited because it’s such a huge opportunity, but I am nervous because it’s the biggest event I have ever played in.
“Success for me would be playing confidently, sticking to my routines and enjoying the whole experience. If I do that, I will be happy.”
She joins a strong New Zealand contingent of 10 players including top-ranked Kiwi Eunseo Choi (61 World Amateur Golf Ranking), who finished 13th at the 2025 championship, and Vivian Lu (103 WAGR), who will make her sixth WAAP appearance.
Royal Wellington member Glenda Swan who has managed the Wellington interprovincial women’s team has watched Barber develop over the past three years.
“The first thing I saw when I saw her play was there were two things really that stood out, which was her focus and, just how far a 10-year-old could hit the ball. So you imagine three years on, right? Things have changed quite a lot.
“Elise definitely sits in the top group for her age, and not just because of her ability, but also I think because she’s tending to move her mindset, her work ethic, and also her willingness to learn. Those qualities, I think, you’ll find really are what often separate the really good players from the truly special ones. But you know, we’ve got to remember she is actually only 13 so she’s been playing for seven years,” Swan said.
Barber she will also have the opportunity to play alongside and learn from the best players in the Asia-Pacific region including world No 11 Soomin Oh from the Republic of Korea, 2024 US Girls’ Junior and US Women’s Amateur champion Rianne Malixi of the Philippines and defending champion Jeneath Wong of Malaysia.
The championship provides a life-changing pathway for the winner, who will earn starts in three major championships – the AIG Women’s Open, The Amundi Evian Championship and the Chevron Championship – as well as the Augusta National Women’s Amateur and The 123rd Women’s Amateur Championship.
Previous WAAP participants have gone on to claim five major championships in just eight years, highlighting the championship’s role as a genuine stepping stone to professional success.
The Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific championship runs from February 12-15 at Royal Wellington Golf Club, with the club targeting 10,000 spectators across the four days. Entry is free.
