At the tender age of nine, while most children are busy with playground antics or signing up for their first sports teams, one young golfer is achieving something extraordinary—sinking a hole-in-one, a golfing triumph many spend their entire lives chasing.

This rare accomplishment is a coveted dream for golfers everywhere, both amateur and professional. The likes of Rory McIlroy, who achieved his first at age 10, and the world’s top-ranked female golfer, Nelly Korda, who managed it by 12, know this feeling well. Meanwhile, Scottie Scheffler didn’t hit his first until the age of 17.

Defying the odds, Catherine ‘CJ’ Andino marked her first hole-in-one before even reaching double digits. Astonishingly, her second came just four years later, a testament to her burgeoning talent.

Reflecting on these achievements, CJ recounted to The Daily Mail, “That was really memorable and exciting… so I have two holes-in-one as of now.” Her words, delivered with a shy yet confident smile, hint at even greater feats to come, with the understated phrase “as of now” suggesting her journey is far from over.

At just 16, CJ has already made a name for herself as a formidable young talent in the golfing world. With several championship titles and a course record to her credit, she has proven that her initial hole-in-one was just the beginning of her success story. True to her subtle prediction, her list of accomplishments is poised to grow.

Her trajectory is clear, as evidenced by her recent commitment to the University of Miami’s prestigious golf program. This decision, made during her sophomore year of high school, followed multiple offers from universities nationwide, underscoring her status as a rising star in the sport.

Promising young golfer Catherine ‘CJ’ Andino signed her first NIL deal with The Daily Mail 

CJ achieved one of golf’s most elusive feats, a hole-in-one, at the young age of nine 

Three weeks later, before even teeing it up on the collegiate stage, she inked her first Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deal with The Daily Mail.

But despite evident natural talent, CJ’s success in the sport wasn’t always a guarantee – nor was her interest in pursuing it.

CJ had been playing golf for the simple enjoyment of the game when she and her family stumbled onto her trajectory when the right people happened to catch a glimpse of her swing.

At age seven, her mom Zulmary, a physical therapist, treated a man named Randy Jones at the elite Deepdale Golf Club in Manhasset, Long Island. She showed him a video of the young CJ’s swing, and he immediately wanted to see it in person.

Jones extended an irresistible offer: An invitation to the exclusive golf club and free rein of the facilities.

It was there that she met Darrell Kestner, a PGA professional and director of golf at Deepdale, as well as the club’s president, Dixon Boardman, who helped mold her budding career.

‘They’ve been super helpful in developing my game at a young age,’ she says. ‘I was able to practice at Deepdale, all because of them, so I was grateful for that.’

But like with all budding athletes’ careers, sacrifices have had to be made. For CJ, her two moms and her three younger siblings, it was upending their lives in New York and making the move south.

Now 16, the high school Sophomore committed to the University of Miami last month 

The New York native has already amassed a number of titles, including a win on the Underrated Golf Tour, organized by basketball superstar Steph Curry 

As CJ’s game began to take off, the family of six relocated to the golf state of the USA, Florida. They escaped the brutal winters of the Big Apple for the warm haven of Boca Raton, all to allow CJ the better opportunities to harness her skill all year round.

Speaking to CJ, her maturity and level-headedness go beyond that of a typical 16-year-old. They are visible in the understanding of what it takes to reach the level she has set her sights on and her approach to her goals.

‘It was a little bit of a change, because of the weather and moving away from family, friends,’ she admits. ‘Everything I knew was up in New York. I’d only been to Florida a few times then.

‘But I got used to it, and it’s been great for my golf game and our whole family. Everything down here is so convenient and much easier from a golf perspective.’

Yet, despite now being a member of the Sunshine State, the teenager hasn’t abandoned her Empire State of Mind. Speaking to The Daily Mail the day after the New York Yankees’ bitter MLB playoff elimination, CJ was still proudly showing her allegiance, sporting a sweatshirt emblazoned with the Bronx Bombers’ insignia.

‘Even the disappointment, we have to be loyal,’ she jokes.

It’s not only CJ who has had to adjust to the change of scenery. Her moms Melanie and Zulmary share three other children, Carly, 14, Juliet and Julian, both 11.

CJ jokes that despite her best efforts, she failed to recruit any of her younger siblings to the sport but with the demands of young golfers, Zulmary and Melanie may be glad none of their other children were swayed.

A young CJ’s swing caught the eye of Randy Jones at Dixon Boardman at Deepdale Golf Club

Pictured left to right: Her mom Zulmary, CJ, Juliet (11), Julian (11), Carly (14), and mom Melanie

‘It was a lot of divide and conquer,’ Melanie says of juggling the responsibilities of four children and the demanding schedule of golf with her wife, Zulmary. ‘We were willing to take on the challenge.’

‘Golf is a lot more demanding than soccer or any other sport, just because of the hours that you have to dedicate,’ she adds. ‘But it works out. I’m not sure most families would put in that effort, but it’s paid off, for sure.’

To say it has paid off would be something of an understatement. The Andinos’ relocation was a sacrifice that has reaped rewards.

CJ has already been crowned the Florida State Golf Association Jr. Amateur Match Play Champion this year.

In 2024, she captured the First Tee Miami Doral Jr. Classic and the South Florida PGA Jr. Tour titles, as well as the South Bend Regional on basketball superstar Steph Curry’s Underrated Golf Tour.

CJ also boasts the women’s course record at The Park West Palm Beach, Florida, shooting a 62 across the 6,111-yard track – just one off the men’s record held by former Masters winner Adam Scott.

‘Having the support that we have with Mr. Jones and Dixon Boardman, and now working with the Daily Mail, it’s all come together to help support her dreams,’ Melanie says. 

‘Hopefully from Miami, she can continue to move on and play professionally. That’s the ultimate goal.’

But while mom Melanie is already aiming for the LPGA, a measured CJ seemingly addresses her goals in gradual steps.

CJ is pictured with women’s golf legend and 10-time major winner Annika Sorenstam 

CJ was crowned the Florida State Golf Association Jr. Amateur Match Play Champion this year

University of Miami women’s golf head coach Janice Olivencia (left) recruited CJ 

‘I would say committing to the University of Miami was definitely big, because it’s something I’ve been working on from a young age,’ CJ says when asked what she considers to be her greatest milestone to date.

Now that Miami is in the bag, what’s next? CJ lays out her future milestones like rungs on a ladder. First comes becoming an All-American, then an NCAA team championship – and why not throw in an individual title too.

And CJ will strive to bring home that NCAA championship alongside a very famous teammate.

CJ will be joining a Canes team featuring none other than President Donald Trump’s granddaughter. Kai Trump, who will be in her Sophomore year when CJ arrives in Coral Gables, committed last year, attracting a lot of eyes to the program.

Kai’s presence at junior tournaments has already caused a stir thanks to her horde of Secret Service agents in tow, but CJ insists that her future teammate’s commitment to the Canes can only be a good thing.

‘I think it’s going to be all good things,’ she says. ‘I’ve met her once before, and she’s a super sweet girl, which is most important. The kind of person she is I think is going to be really good for Miami to have her and to bring attention there. I’m looking forward to it.’

University of Miami golf coach Janice Olivencia had patrolled the fairways at Sage Valley Golf Club in South Carolina back in March, keeping a close eye on her famous recruit as the First Granddaughter battled through a nightmare tournament at the Junior Invitational.

It was Coach Olivencia and assistant coach Jim Garren’s dedication to their players and their recruits that attracted CJ to Miami over the four other schools who sent her offers.

CJ will be joining a University of Miami golf team that will feature fellow recruit Kai Trump 

The First Granddaughter announced her commitment to the Canes’ program last year  

‘Coach Janice and Coach Jim were super supportive throughout the whole process,’ she explains. ‘They’ve really shown their support for a long time. They came out to watch me many times and showed that they’re gonna take me to that next level and do whatever it takes. That really made me feel like that was gonna be the place for me.’

‘They definitely went over and beyond showing their support and showing up at crucial moments,’ Melanie adds.

Coach Olivencia and Coach Garren’s pursuit of CJ is no mystery. She’s already made her mark on the junior circuit – and brushed shoulders with faces even more famous than Kai.

Playing on Curry’s Underrated Tour, where she finished second in the Curry Cup last year, CJ has had the chance to meet the four-time NBA champion. She also had the opportunity to speak with women’s golf legend Annika Sorenstam.

‘It’s cool to see that they come from a very similar background to all of us. They don’t come from all these fancy things,’ she says of speaking with the Golden State Warriors star and 10-time major champion.

‘They worked really hard to get to where they are, which they’re both super successful people, so it’s kind of just cool to see that. I share the same goals and dreams that they had, so, it’s possible if you put in the work just like they did.’