Golf, grit and growing up: Anna Kei’s amazing odyssey in Japan

When Anna Kei Fernandez picked up her golf clubs and boarded a flight to Japan earlier this year, she wasn’t just chasing birdies — she was chasing growth. The up-and-coming golfer, already making waves back home, now finds herself balancing tee times with textbooks, training sessions, and a whole new way of life.

“I’ve been here since March 18,” Anna says, settling into a chair at her dorm’s common area after a long day on the course. “But school officially started on April 3, so I guess you could say I’ve been on the go from the start.”

She’s enrolled at Nihon Wellness Sports University, though she admits she’s still working out the specifics of her academic path. “From what I understand, it’ll be related to golf —maybe the business side of the sport,” she says. “It’s actually kind of exciting not knowing everything yet. I just know I’m where I’m meant to be.”

And it sure looks like it. Anna’s training schedule is nothing short of intense. Four days a week, she plays full rounds on some of Japan’s most elite courses — including the iconic Narita Golf Club and Narashino Country Club. If those names sound familiar, it’s because Narita hosted the Japan Airlines Championship in 2017, and Narashino is where Tiger Woods claimed victory at the 2019 ZOZO Championship.

“It’s surreal to train where legends have played,” she says, her eyes lighting up. “Like, I’m literally walking the same fairways Tiger walked. No pressure, right?”

Her daily routine starts at 8 a.m. and is packed to the brim: chores, breakfast, golf and gym sessions at least four times a week. She beams as she talks about her strength coach back home, Jhon Aaron Noche, who now guides her via video calls. “When I first started, I was benching 5 kg per hand. Now I’m doing 12.5 kg. It’s wild to see the progress.”

But perhaps the biggest adjustments for Anna haven’t been physical. They’ve been cultural.

“The Japanese way of life really teaches you things you never thought you needed to learn,” she says. “Like how to read the room — even when no one’s talking.”

From mastering nonverbal communication to understanding social etiquette that’s never spelled out (like never eating while walking or saying “maybe” instead of “no”), Anna has been soaking it all in. And she’s loving it.

“They’re so respectful here. People are kind, calm, and they really mind their own business. If you don’t bother them, they won’t bother you,” she explains. “It’s peaceful. You feel safe. It’s a different kind of rhythm.”

There’s also been the humbling realization that bragging is a no-go.

“When I got to the dorm, one of the girls told me, ‘Always be humble and people will respect you.’ And it’s true. There’s this quiet grace in how they carry themselves. You learn a lot just by watching.”

Still, despite all the cultural immersion, one thing remains constant — her family.

“I truly miss my family so much,” she says, pausing. “But I’m lucky. We’ve got phones, and I can call anytime. Sometimes I talk to my mom for a full hour, just telling her about my day.”

And her dad? “I send him pictures and videos, and he posts everything on his Facebook. I’m pretty sure the whole golf world sees it! HAHAHA. But it’s sweet. It’s really nice to see how proud and happy he is. Makes everything worth it.”

On rare days off, Anna ventures into Shibuya or Shinjuku for some quick shopping, but don’t expect her to lounge around.

“If I go there, I’ve got a mission,” she laughs. “I wouldn’t just go to relax — it’s way too crowded for that.”

Her big dream? To travel across Japan, playing in as many tournaments as she can. “It’s the perfect mix of competition and sightseeing,” she says with a grin. “Tournament first, sightseeing later!”

With each swing, each cultural lesson, and each new city she explores, Anna Kei Fernandez isn’t just chasing a golfing career — she’s becoming the person she was always meant to be.

And if her journey so far is any indication, she’s well on her way to becoming a name we’ll all be seeing on leaderboards soon.