Eleka Moore was just 18 when she was offered multiple college scholarships to play golf in the United States. Fresh out of high school and with two Junior PGA championships under her belt, Eleka instead decided to stay in Australia and pursue her dream of becoming a school teacher at Southern Cross University alongside her golfing endeavours.
After being accepted on an academic scholarship to study through Southern Cross University's prestigious Elite Student Athlete program, Eleka, now 20, has been able to travel to the USA for golfing tournaments and winning the golfing tournament at the 2017 University Games.
"If you asked me when I was a little kid I would have told you I wanted to be a school teacher first and then a golfer which is definitely what I've decided to do. Southern Cross has offered so much support and the flexibility through the elite Athlete Program which has enabled me to keep competing alongside my studies," said Eleka, whose scholarship is funded by Ballina Shire Council.
Eleka was seven years old when she first teed off at Ballina Golf Club. It was during afternoon school sport on Tuesdays she got her first taste of life on the green and decided to join the juniors instead of going to dancing or playing netball.
At age nine she qualified for the Junior PGA and won the worldwide tournament, backing it up with her second Junior PGA win at age 12.
