Harigae, 12, Excels In A Field Where Average Age Is 23.2 Years

Sunriver, Ore. -- “I played terrible,” said Mina Harigae. The seventh-grader at Monterey, California’s Walter Cotton Middle School had just shot 76. With an eagle. In a national championship. On a 6,189-yard course.

Harigae qualified for match play with a 75-76—151 in the United States Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship on Wednesday. She is 12 years old. She is also the 2001 California Women’s Amateur Champion. In that final, she beat Sidney Burleson, of Salinas, Calif. They are both 12 years old.

What is golf coming to? In the old days, say six years ago, (pre-Tiger Woods), a 16 year old who could play with the grownups was an amazing quirk. Today, the baby brigade threatens to send those of voting age into early over-the-hill status. The youngsters, however, seem to have fun.

After about 30 seconds and a sip of water, Harigae had recovered from “playing terrible.” A slender, petite American of Japanese heritage, she giggled and told of her “best three holes.”

On the 14th, 373 yards. “I didn’t hit a good drive so I was 189 yards from the green. I hit a 7-wood and it took two bounces and went into the hole for an eagle.”

On the 15th, 326 yards. “I putted in from off the green for a birdie. About 20 feet.”

On the 16th, 181 yards. “I skulled it out of the bunker. Then I chipped in for a par from about 40 feet.”

You had no putts on those three holes?

“Yep,” she giggled again. “Guess so.”

If there was any one problem when she began playing golf in what, in its fledgling stages, can hardly be called “a career,” it’s that Harigae used to get angry.

“Sometimes I can’t believe that I’m 12 years old, so I get mad over shots that I shouldn’t,” she said. “When I get mad, I start swinging really hard. I don’t bang my clubs anymore. I curl up my fist.”

It’s not much of a fist, barely bigger than the golf balls she so blithely knocks around in near-par figures. So, how did she get to be such a good player?

“Good question,” laughed Harigae. “I don’t practice that much, not like my friends. I can’t concentrate when I practice like I can focus when I play.”

The only child of Yasunori and Mafumi Harigae, who own a Japanese restaurant, Harigae began playing golf at the age of 8.

“My mother wanted us to do something together, a family thing, so we went to a driving range then we played,” said Harigae. “I knew when I was 9 that I liked it. Until then I liked swimming better. I took art and piano lessons and an advanced math class. That was before golf. Now I just play golf and I go to the sports center and swim and play basketball. I’m good at basketball and I want to try out for the team.”

Playing in a field of players in which the average age is 23.2 years doesn’t phase Harigae a bit.

“I love playing with them,” she said. “They’re so nice. I like to win. It’s not that important but I’m going to try because it’s a good experience.”

And what about the experience of helping out in her family’s restaurant?

“I did the credit card machine but I got banned from that because I make mistakes,” said Harigae. “So now I do the dishes.”

Doing dishes. All 12 year olds can identify with kitchen duty. But winning the California Women’s Amateur and being a favorite in a national women’s championship? Now, that’s something else.

This story was written by Rhonda Glenn, USGA.