After making his debut for Trinidad and Tobago in the Junior National Team at the age of nine in the 11-13 Boys category, Zico Correia is going above, and some may say beyond par in the sport of golf. 
Correia won the 2021 Brechin Castle Golf Open after he maintained a two-shot lead going into the final day’s play which evidently helped him to get the better of defending champion, Sol Joanni, at the Sevilla Golf course in Brechin Castle, Couva. In the first of Trinidad & Tobago Golf Association’s (TTGA) tournaments for the year, the event was held at the Brechin Castle nine-hole golf course, which is the only nine-hole course in T&T. Rounds are played twice from different tee boxes to make up for the 18 holes during the tournament.
The event attracted over 100 players which included the defending men’s champion Joanni, and the 2019 Women’s champion and tournament favourite, Yeji Lee. Competing for points to be selected for the national teams, in the juniors, seniors and super seniors’ categories, Correia shot 70 on the first day of play for a two-stroke lead over Sol Joanni, before shooting 77 on day two to finish with 147 overall. Joanni shot a 78 on day 2 to close with a total of 150 while Chris Richards Jr, shot 78 and 73 to end on 151 for third place.
It was there Correia was crowned as the youngest golfer to win the Brechin Castle Men’s Championship title at the age of 16. Being the youngest sibling, he had his fair share of playing against his older brother and sister therefore competing against older opponents did not faze him.
He expressed, “Going into that tournament I was focused on winning my age-group itself, however, after the first day we realized I was in front of the overall tournament. It was only then I started being optimistic and aimed for the overall tournament title as well, and so said, so done.”
After representing the national team from the age of nine in the 11-13 categories and continued to win championships throughout various tournaments including the 109th TTGA Open 2nd Flight Division, the Sagicor Open Invitational 2nd Flight Division and the 2019 ‘Clash of the Champions’ Doral Trump International. He also won the Caribbean Republic Bank Junior Open back-to-back in 2017 and 2018, respectively, which led him to being nominated for the First Citizens Bank Junior Sportsman of the Year in 2018.
Speaking about his love for the game, Correia expressed, “I actually started being interested in playing golf from watching my brother, Zach, and saying to myself I want to play this sport as well.” His brother was not the only influence Zico had on the sport as he recalls his family always being in, around, and involved in golf. “My family supported my journey within the sport and helped me to stick with the game,” he stated.
He continued, “I remember playing on Tobago Plantations Golf course at four-years old, when I swung and missed the ball totally a couple of times but then I eventually got it and felt really excited.”
Correia noted that it was after this moment his father decided to take him to the range when they got back to Trinidad, “He told me when we head back to Trinidad, he would carry me on the range if I was really interested in practicing the sport. It was through these moments where I actually started liking this sport and pursuing to become a professional golfer,” he detailed.
Correia explained while he was still under the age required to be on the greens itself, he was able to access the range in Mocha, Maraval to practice some shots along with a couple techniques he observed others doing.
It was during these spontaneous routines where Correia started gathering attention from onlookers and more so the coaches at St. Andrews Golf Club. He said, “They approached my dad saying a couple things like ‘this kid has potential’ or ‘once he sticks with it, he would actually be really good’. My dad took their advice and ever since then I have been playing at the club.”
Currently attending St. Mary’s College, Correia said sometimes the journey may seem exhausting but the sport itself thought him about the patience it requires to become successful in life. He detailed, “If for instance I am having a bad day on the course or in general, I always tell myself to keep pushing and remain confident within my techniques and ability, just try my best to better the outcome or final results.”
Zico gave an insight to his life since the pandemic struck by detailing, “Since the COVID-19, I have been attending online school in the mornings and after I head across to the range or course to practice. In the night I do some revision and homework for the next day then try to get a proper rest. That’s pretty much my routine.”
He went on to explain, “Sometimes you are really tired, especially when it feels like there is so much on your plate and you have to balance it all. It gets really tiring…. but for me, what makes it a little easier is being dedicated to achieving both your short term and long-term goals. It is a process… trust it.”
Elaborating on some of his short and long-term goals, Correia stated, “My main short-term goal is to qualify for a golf scholarship from a Division I school while still participating and winning some tournaments. My long-term goal is to actually become a Professional Golfer and competing in the PGA Tour.”
Encouraging others to join in on the prestigious game, Zico said, “If you are competitive and patient, then golf is a perfect sport to start. It is not a contact sport nor a go to sport such as football or cricket, but it is still a very competitive sport and a lot of fun to play.”
We wish Zico Correia the best of luck in achieving his goals and representing Trinidad and Tobago on the golf course!
