When she was just 17 years old, Monet Chun’s three big goals as an amateur were to win a national title, play collegiate golf in the NCAA and compete in an LPGA Tour event. Today at 24, the university of Michigan grad has checked off all three – and now has her sights set on a successful career in professional golf.
Having worked with Chun as her personal coach since 2019, Matt Wilson speaks about the qualities that enable her to be successful and achieve her goals on the golf course.
“Monet’s general disposition allows her to be successful in the sport of golf which requires endless patience, tremendous determination, and a very clear vision,” he pointed out.
“She’s also got a healthy dose of curiosity. You combine that with strong work ethic and you get continual improvement,” noted Wilson.
“Monet is a very steady player. She’s pretty good at everything and plays a really tight game. She’s a very special talent.”
Chun put her special talents on full display at the 2022 Canadian Women’s Amateur Championship in Kitchener, Ont. She finished the tournament at five under and won her first national title by two strokes over runner up and fellow Richmond Hill, Ont., golfer, Alissa Xu.
“It was huge goal of mine to win a national event and I guess it showed that all the hard work was paying off,” said Chun.
By winning the Canadian Women’s Amateur, Chun received an exemption to compete at the U.S. Women’s Amateur, along with an exemption to compete in her first LPGA event at the 2022 CPKC Women’s Open.
Chun put on an impressive showing at the 2022 U.S. Women’s Amateur where she made it all the way to the championship match and finished runner up to Saki Baba of Japan.
“That was the year that everything came together. I was playing some of my best golf,” recalled the talented Canadian National Team member.
In 2022, Chun also led the University of Michigan women’s golf squad to their first Big Ten conference title in school history.
“I spent four years there and had a great time with the team and the coaches. My game really improved during that time and it was great being part of the first women’s team to win the Big Ten conference title in 2022,” said Chun, who completed an undergrad in kinesiology.
Having achieved her top goals as an amateur, the University of Michigan grad now has a clear vision for success on the professional ranks. This year she is competing on the Epson Tour and hopes to continue her learning on route to the LPGA Tour one day.
Wilson says Chun is on the right track and believes that by making continued improvements in her putting and getting it to a world class level, the goal of making it to the LPGA Tour is within reach.
“Her putting is good but by continuing to improve and getting it to a world class level, that’s what is going to get Monet onto the LPGA Tour and have a lot of success once she’s there.”
Chun identifies two former members of the Canadian National Team Program also from the Richmond Hill area who have provided her with a clear vision for success over the years through their success playing the sport at the highest level – specifically Rebecca Lee-Bentham and Taylor Pendrith.
“Growing up, I’ve known about Rebecca and watched her play throughout her junior career in college and on the LPGA; and its pretty cool to be in a position to try to have some of that success,” said Chun.
“I’ve played at Summit Golf and Country Club and I know Taylor has played there also. It’s inspiring to see the success he’s currently having as a professional on the PGA Tour.”
Having been on the National Team Program since her teenage years, Chun is thankful for the continued support and credits the program for playing a significant role in helping turn her vision and goals into reality.
“The program has helped improve not only my techniques, but has helped me improved physical strength and my mental game,” she noted.
“Being part of the program, we have access to so many resources to support us and help us reach our goals on the golf course.”