Bon back to Northland roots

A true believer in what comes around goes around, Northland golfer Caroline Bon is doing her bit to pay back her supporters - in between campaigning to play professionally in Europe.
Back in Whangarei after spending much of the first half of the year overseas competing, Bon is working as a personal trainer at CLM Health and Fitness Whangarei Aquatic Centre and has started her own coaching business at Sherwood Golf Park and The Pines.
"I created my own business, personal training golfers and coaching golf mainly to women - with the motivation of making money to enable me to return to Europe to continue playing golf," the 24-year-old said.
While her budding business is only in its early stages, Bon said she has a few people interested.
"But I am really hoping that I can boost up those numbers. I am trying to advertise to any and all females who either want to improve their health and fitness or improve their golf - or both."
Bon said she had never thought about coaching before, as her focus has always been on playing.
"But I am really enjoying helping people. I am so lucky that I can give back to Northland. Northlanders have always supported me so I'm really happy I can give back some of the knowledge that I have learnt playing international golf," she said.
Bon's year to date has been a tumultuous one, tough at times, but the bubbly golfer said she was loving it.
"It has been a huge learning curve. I am really happy with some of my results which include finishing 15th equal at the New Zealand Women's Open, 17th on the Australian Women's Order of Merit and making the cut for my first two international professional events I played in both Slovakia and Holland."
Bon played alongside English professional Laura Davies in Europe, and put in some good contending scores against her. Going up against somebody of Davies calibre really extended Bon, she said.
Since her return to New Zealand, Bon has had a break from playing but is now back into it - along with coaching.
"The only hard thing back home is finding competitions to play in, because that is where you can really test your improvements. There are only a few more Charles Tour Events which are men's events that I will try to gain entry into. But I am really hoping that I gain a few more sponsor invites to some of the events in Europe," she said.
Next January, Bon is aiming to return to Q-School in Spain to try and earn her full playing card.
"This will be my third time in Spain for Q-School, I know the course and the area. I am so much happier with my golf and really believe that I can achieve my goal of gaining my full card on the Ladies European Tour. So the goal this year is top 30".