Photo COURTESY OF THE UNDERRATED GOLF TOUR
While most kids were swinging on playgrounds, Catherine “CJ” Andino was swinging golf clubs. She discovered golf at age 7 and is now one of the sport’s most promising junior players. CJ hit her first hole-in-one at age 9 and began driving a golf cart before getting her learner’s permit.
In 2024, she won a regional stop in Indiana on the Underrated Golf Tour, sponsored by basketball great Stephen Curry, and placed second in the Curry Cup, earning her the opportunity to represent the United States internationally this year. She’s also achieved multiple top-seven finishes in American Junior Golf Association tournaments, once shooting 12 under par to claim second place.
“I like the competitive aspect,” she says. “You’re faced with all these challenges. Every shot is a new shot. Every course is different. You have to think through everything, which makes it more difficult but at the end of the day makes it more fun.”
CJ aspires to play Division I college golf and eventually earn a spot on the LPGA Tour. Her favorite course is the beachfront Seminole Golf Club in Juno Beach, which she loves for its ocean views and level of difficulty. She finds the most challenging courses to be in Texas due to their tight tee shots.
Like many Boca Raton families, CJ, her two moms and her three younger siblings relocated from Long Island to escape the harsh winters four years ago. Now, she enjoys playing golf outdoors year-round. The 15-year-old sophomore is on the golf team at West Boca Raton Community High School and has a hybrid schedule to accommodate her training.
CJ trains five hours a day, practicing as much as possible on the course to replicate tournament conditions. She also spends time at the driving range and focuses on power-building workouts in her at-home gym to strengthen her core and legs. To boost her swing speed, she uses TheStack training system, a cutting-edge program designed to maximize power and performance.
Golf is just as much a mental game as it is a physical one, so CJ gives herself positive affirmations to build confidence while she plays. “Keep up the hard work,” she advises others pursuing their dreams. “Patience is key. You’re not going to see results overnight, but the harder you work, the more results you’ll see eventually. Stay consistent. Don’t let anything stop you.”