{"id":221206,"date":"2025-10-18T02:30:13","date_gmt":"2025-10-18T02:30:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/221206\/"},"modified":"2025-10-18T02:30:13","modified_gmt":"2025-10-18T02:30:13","slug":"meet-golfs-next-big-thing-cj-andino-on-her-course-record-tips-from-steph-curry-and-future-miami-teammate-kai-trump","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/221206\/","title":{"rendered":"Meet golf’s next big thing: CJ Andino on her course record, tips from Steph Curry… and future Miami teammate Kai Trump"},"content":{"rendered":"

At age nine, most children are skipping around the playground, joining their local Little League team or diligently completing their homework. They\u2019re not achieving a feat some golfers wait a lifetime for: A hole-in-one.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s an elusive fabric of golf that players \u2013 professional and amateur \u2013 yearn for. They\u2019re a rarity that all chase, but few achieve. Rory McIlroy<\/a> was 10 when he first hit the milestone; women\u2019s world No 1 Nelly Korda was 12, while Scottie Scheffler<\/a> had to wait until he was 17.<\/p>\n

Yet, Catherine \u2018CJ\u2019 Andino struck her first hole-in-one before she had even celebrated her 10th birthday. Her second, remarkably, came around four years later.<\/p>\n

\u2018That was really memorable and exciting… so I have two holes-in-one as of now,\u2019 she tells The Daily Mail. She says it casually with a shy and humble smile, but it\u2019s impossible not to pick up on the three key words buried at the end of her recollection: As of now.<\/p>\n

At16, CJ has already established herself as one of the game\u2019s most promising young stars. With multiple championship titles under her belt and even a course record to her name, she has already exceeded the mere milestone of a hole-in-one. And, as she subtly predicted, these achievements won\u2019t be her last.<\/p>\n

CJ has already set herself on track for success. Last month, the high school Sophomore committed to the University of Miami\u2019s golf program after fielding multiple offers from a host of schools across the country.<\/p>\n

\"Promising <\/p>\n

Promising young golfer Catherine \u2018CJ\u2019 Andino signed her first NIL deal with The Daily Mail\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"CJ <\/p>\n

CJ achieved one of golf’s most elusive feats, a hole-in-one, at the young age of nine\u00a0<\/p>\n

Three weeks later, before even teeing it up on the collegiate stage, she inked her first Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deal with The Daily Mail.<\/p>\n

But despite evident natural talent, CJ\u2019s success in the sport wasn\u2019t always a guarantee \u2013 nor was her interest in pursuing it.<\/p>\n

CJ had been playing golf for the simple enjoyment of the game when she and her family stumbled onto her trajectory when the right people happened to catch a glimpse of her swing.<\/p>\n

At age seven, her mom Zulmary, a physical therapist, treated a man named Randy Jones at the elite Deepdale Golf Club in Manhasset, Long Island. She showed him a video of the young CJ\u2019s swing, and he immediately wanted to see it in person.<\/p>\n

Jones extended an irresistible offer: An invitation to the exclusive golf club and free rein of the facilities.<\/p>\n

It was there that she met Darrell Kestner, a PGA professional and director of golf at Deepdale, as well as the club\u2019s president, Dixon Boardman, who helped mold her budding career.<\/p>\n

\u2018They\u2019ve been super helpful in developing my game at a young age,\u2019 she says. \u2018I was able to practice at Deepdale, all because of them, so I was grateful for that.\u2019<\/p>\n

But like with all budding athletes\u2019 careers, sacrifices have had to be made. For CJ, her two moms and her three younger siblings, it was upending their lives in New York and making the move south.<\/p>\n

\"Now <\/p>\n

Now 16, the high school Sophomore committed to the University of Miami last month\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The New York native has already amassed a number of titles, including a win on the Underrated Golf Tour, organized by basketball superstar Steph Curry\u00a0<\/p>\n

As CJ\u2019s game began to take off, the family of six relocated to the golf state of the USA, Florida. They escaped the brutal winters of the Big Apple for the warm haven of Boca Raton, all to allow CJ the better opportunities to harness her skill all year round.<\/p>\n

Speaking to CJ, her maturity and level-headedness go beyond that of a typical 16-year-old. They are visible in the understanding of what it takes to reach the level she has set her sights on and her approach to her goals.<\/p>\n

\u2018It was a little bit of a change, because of the weather and moving away from family, friends,\u2019 she admits. \u2018Everything I knew was up in New York. I’d only been to Florida a few times then.<\/p>\n

\u2018But I got used to it, and it’s been great for my golf game and our whole family. Everything down here is so convenient and much easier from a golf perspective.\u2019<\/p>\n

Yet, despite now being a member of the Sunshine State, the teenager hasn\u2019t abandoned her Empire State of Mind. Speaking to The Daily Mail the day after the New York Yankees\u2019 bitter MLB playoff elimination, CJ was still proudly showing her allegiance, sporting a sweatshirt emblazoned with the Bronx Bombers\u2019 insignia.<\/p>\n

‘Even the disappointment, we have to be loyal,’ she jokes.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not only CJ who has had to adjust to the change of scenery. Her moms Melanie and Zulmary share three other children, Carly, 14, Juliet and Julian, both 11.<\/p>\n

CJ jokes that despite her best efforts, she failed to recruit any of her younger siblings to the sport but with the demands of young golfers, Zulmary and Melanie may be glad none of their other children were swayed.<\/p>\n

\"A <\/p>\n

A young CJ’s swing caught the eye of Randy Jones at Dixon Boardman at Deepdale Golf Club<\/p>\n

\"Pictured <\/p>\n

Pictured left to right: Her mom Zulmary, CJ, Juliet (11), Julian (11), Carly (14), and mom Melanie<\/p>\n

\u2018It was a lot of divide and conquer,\u2019 Melanie says of juggling the responsibilities of four children and the demanding schedule of golf with her wife, Zulmary. \u2018We were willing to take on the challenge.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u2018Golf is a lot more demanding than soccer or any other sport, just because of the hours that you have to dedicate,\u2019 she adds. ‘But it works out. I’m not sure most families would put in that effort, but it’s paid off, for sure.\u2019<\/p>\n

To say it has paid off would be something of an understatement. The Andinos\u2019 relocation was a sacrifice that has reaped rewards.<\/p>\n

CJ has already been crowned the Florida State Golf Association Jr. Amateur Match Play Champion this year.<\/p>\n

In 2024, she captured the First Tee Miami Doral Jr. Classic and the South Florida PGA Jr. Tour titles, as well as the South Bend Regional on basketball superstar Steph Curry\u2019s Underrated Golf Tour.<\/p>\n

CJ also boasts the women\u2019s course record at The Park West Palm Beach, Florida, shooting a 62 across the 6,111-yard track \u2013 just one off the men\u2019s record held by former Masters winner Adam Scott.<\/p>\n

\u2018Having the support that we have with Mr. Jones and Dixon Boardman, and now working with the Daily Mail, it’s all come together to help support her dreams,’ Melanie says.\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘Hopefully from Miami, she can continue to move on and play professionally. That’s the ultimate goal.’<\/p>\n

But while mom Melanie is already aiming for the LPGA, a measured CJ seemingly addresses her goals in gradual steps.<\/p>\n

\"CJ <\/p>\n

CJ is pictured with women’s golf legend and 10-time major winner Annika Sorenstam\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"CJ <\/p>\n

CJ was crowned the Florida State Golf Association Jr. Amateur Match Play Champion this year<\/p>\n

\"University <\/p>\n

University of Miami women’s golf head coach Janice\u00a0Olivencia (left) recruited CJ\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2018I would say committing to the University of Miami was definitely big, because it’s something I’ve been working on from a young age,\u2019 CJ says when asked what she considers to be her greatest milestone to date.<\/p>\n

Now that Miami is in the bag, what\u2019s next? CJ lays out her future milestones like rungs on a ladder. First comes becoming an All-American, then an NCAA team championship – and why not throw in an individual title too.<\/p>\n

And CJ will strive to bring home that NCAA championship alongside a very famous teammate.<\/p>\n

CJ will be joining a Canes team featuring none other than President Donald Trump\u2019s granddaughter. Kai Trump, who will be in her Sophomore year when CJ arrives in Coral Gables, committed last year, attracting a lot of eyes to the program.<\/p>\n

Kai\u2019s presence at junior tournaments has already caused a stir thanks to her horde of Secret Service agents in tow, but CJ insists that her future teammate\u2019s commitment to the Canes can only be a good thing.<\/p>\n

\u2018I think it’s going to be all good things,\u2019 she says. \u2018I’ve met her once before, and she’s a super sweet girl, which is most important. The kind of person she is I think is going to be really good for Miami to have her and to bring attention there. I’m looking forward to it.\u2019<\/p>\n

University of Miami golf coach Janice Olivencia had patrolled the fairways at Sage Valley Golf Club in South Carolina back in March, keeping a close eye on her famous recruit as the First Granddaughter took part in the Junior Invitational.<\/p>\n

It was Coach Olivencia and assistant coach Jim Garren\u2019s dedication to their players and their recruits that attracted CJ to Miami over the four other schools who sent her offers.<\/p>\n

\"CJ <\/p>\n

CJ will be joining a University of Miami golf team that will feature fellow recruit Kai Trump\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"The <\/p>\n

The First Granddaughter announced her commitment to the Canes’ program last year\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2018Coach Janice and Coach Jim were super supportive throughout the whole process,\u2019 she explains. \u2018They’ve really shown their support for a long time. They came out to watch me many times and showed that they’re gonna take me to that next level and do whatever it takes. That really made me feel like that was gonna be the place for me.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u2018They definitely went over and beyond showing their support and showing up at crucial moments,\u2019 Melanie adds.<\/p>\n

Coach Olivencia and Coach Garren\u2019s pursuit of CJ is no mystery. She\u2019s already made her mark on the junior circuit \u2013 and brushed shoulders with faces even more famous than Kai.<\/p>\n

Playing on Curry\u2019s Underrated Tour, where she finished second in the Curry Cup last year, CJ has had the chance to meet the four-time NBA champion. She also had the opportunity to speak with women\u2019s golf legend Annika Sorenstam.<\/p>\n

\u2018It\u2019s cool to see that they come from a very similar background to all of us. They don’t come from all these fancy things,\u2019 she says of speaking with the Golden State Warriors star and 10-time major champion.<\/p>\n

\u2018They worked really hard to get to where they are, which they’re both super successful people, so it’s kind of just cool to see that. I share the same goals and dreams that they had, so, it’s possible if you put in the work just like they did.\u2019<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"At age nine, most children are skipping around the playground, joining their local Little League team or diligently…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":221207,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[443],"tags":[49,48,2093,6388,622,457,82],"class_list":{"0":"post-221206","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-golf","8":"tag-ca","9":"tag-canada","10":"tag-dailymail","11":"tag-florida","12":"tag-golf","13":"tag-sport","14":"tag-sports"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/221206","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=221206"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/221206\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/221207"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=221206"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=221206"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=221206"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}