Sister act in winning form

SISTER ACT: Nine-year-old Sera Raj and 13-year-old sibling Tara have qualified for prestigious age group tournaments in the United States later this year.

Whanganui sisters Tara and Sera Raj have won a shot to showcase their considerable talents on the world stage after winning their respective grades in the US Kids Golf Tournament in Wellington.

Thirteen-year-old Tara won the 14-year grade, while younger sister Sera, 9, claimed the 10-year division title.

The wins qualify the sister act to represent New Zealand at the prestigious US Kids Tournament in America the Callaway World Championship later in the year.

The US Kids World Championship is the world's largest and most prestigious event for kids.

The full-length documentary The Short Game was filmed during the 2012 World Championship, and the 10 year anniversary in 2015 the field featured more than 1450 participants from 47 states and 51 countries.

The IMG Academy Junior World Golf Championships (Callaway) are held in San Diego, California, United States each year, currently in July. They include tournaments for six age groups ranging from under-6 to 15-17 and for both boys and girls.

Qualifying tournaments are held around the globe to determine the final line-ups in the United States.

Past boys' champions include Notah Begay III, Ernie Els, Phil Mickelson, Corey Pavin, Nick Price, Craig Stadler, David Toms and Tiger Woods. 1984 was a vintage year, with David Toms winning the 15-17 event, Ernest "Ernie" Els the 13-14s (with Mickelson finishing second), and Eldrick "Tiger" Woods the 9-10s (despite still being age 8).

Past girls' champions include Amy Alcott, Brandie Burton, Lorena Ochoa, and Jennifer Rosales.

Former Manawatu Wanganui golfer Tyler Lock also qualified for the event when he was just 13.

To qualify the Raj sisters travelled to the Royal Wellington Club in the Hutt Valley over seven consecutive weekends.

Tara Raj, the current Whanganui women's champion, is on a 1.6 handicap for 18 holes, while sister Sera is on a 43, which is significantly less than her older sibling was on at the same age.