In the rolling greens of North Carolina’s storied Pinehurst Golf Club, a quiet storm was brewing — and it wore a ponytail and carried a 9-iron.
Vedica Bhansali, a 9-year-old from Mumbai, scripted history this week by winning the Girls 9 Years title at the U.S. Kids World Golf Championship, one of the most competitive and prestigious global stages for junior golfers. With composure that defied her age and skill that turned heads across continents, Vedica shot a stunning 4-under 32 in the final round — her second such score in just three days — to secure the title by a single stroke over Finland’s Selina Heikkila.
Her total score of 100 over three rounds not only earned her the winner’s trophy but also placed her firmly among the most promising young talents in international golf.
“I was nervous, but I focused on my game and stayed calm,” Vedica said after her victory, a gold medal hanging from her neck. “I wanted to win for my family and for India.”
The championship, which featured young golfers from over 50 countries, saw strong Indian representation this year. Among the standout performers was Aida Gajjar, who finished third in the Girls 8 Years category, tied with Sweden’s Tilde Hallstrom.
Held annually at Pinehurst, the U.S. Kids Golf World Championship is considered the pinnacle of global junior golf competition. For India, Vedica’s victory represents not only a personal milestone but also a broader shift — an emerging generation of athletes taking root in sports once considered beyond reach.
The win has sparked excitement across India’s golfing circles, with coaches and former players calling it a defining moment for junior golf in the country. “What Vedica has achieved at this age is remarkable. It’s a moment of pride for all of us,” said a spokesperson from the Indian Golf Union.
As Vedica Bhansali lifted the trophy, framed by the American pines and international applause, she wasn’t just a child winning a tournament — she was a symbol of quiet revolution, one swing at a time.
