![\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/AZUMAIHVZ5EQZI7344JJEHVIHE.jpg\")
\nCaitlin Maurice is working closely with her coach to prepare for championships including the AIG Women\u2019s Open and an invitation to Augusta National. Photo \/ Supplied<\/p>\n
Tauranga golfer Caitlin Maurice is living every golfer\u2019s dream, studying and playing at the University of St Andrews in Scotland while preparing for a homecoming that could change her career.<\/p>\n
The Bay of Plenty product, who grew up playing at Omokoroa Golf Club, is now hitting practice balls with views of the iconic 18th hole of the Old Course and the famous Old Course Hotel.<\/p>\n
But her focus is firmly on February\u2019s Women\u2019s Amateur Asia-Pacific Championship at Royal Wellington Golf Club, where a strong performance could open doors to major championships around the world.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s always special to represent your home country, and to have the tournament back home is very cool to be a part of,\u201d Maurice said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m super excited to play against some of the best girls in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n
The stakes couldn\u2019t be higher. The winner earns starts in major championships including the AIG Women\u2019s Open and an invitation to Augusta National.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s every golfer\u2019s dream,\u201d Maurice said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a really massive reward for some amazing golf.\u201d<\/p>\n
After completing four years at Sacramento State University in the United States, Maurice chose St Andrews for her master\u2019s degree, drawn by the home of golf and the opportunity to travel around Europe competing on the student tour series.<\/p>\n
\nCaitlin Maurice is working closely with her coach to prepare for championships including the AIG Women\u2019s Open and an invitation to Augusta National. Photo \/ Supplied<\/p>\n
She\u2019s played tournaments in Ireland, Sweden, and has upcoming events in Portugal and Spain.<\/p>\n
\u201cSt Andrews is a very special place,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBeing a student here is very cool. It\u2019s such a beautiful, cute town with an amazing student vibe.\u201d<\/p>\n
The transition from New Zealand\u2019s parkland courses to Scottish links golf has been challenging but rewarding.<\/p>\n
\u201cGolf is all links here. We only have a couple of links courses back home, so it\u2019s not very common,\u201d she explained.<\/p>\n
Maurice is working closely with her coach to prepare for the championship, focusing on her statistics and developing a practice plan. She\u2019ll return home for six weeks over the New Zealand summer to train in competition conditions and spend time with family.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019ll be really nice to have all my family fly down and spend the week with me, walk around the golf course,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey haven\u2019t been able to do it as much while I\u2019ve been playing in the US and Europe.\u201d<\/p>\n
With final exams complete, Maurice will fly home just before Christmas to spend time with family and begin her preparation in earnest, combining technical work with simulating tournament conditions as she chases her major championship dreams.<\/p>\n
![\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/QZZZ2IUU25BHZJF2TAP67WFZPU.jpg\")
\nTauranga golfer Caitlin Maurice is studying and playing at Scotland. Photo \/ Supplied<\/p>\n
-Supplied content<\/p>\n
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