Jeeno Thitikul’s Inspiring Return: LPGA Star Buys Childhood Driving Range to Launch Free ‘Thitikul Futures Academy’ for Underprivileged Thai Youth

From a modest childhood in rural Thailand to becoming one of the most dominant forces on the LPGA Tour, Jeeno Thitikul (full name Atthaya Thitikul) has always embodied resilience, humility, and gratitude. Now, at just 22 years old, the former World No. 1 and youngest professional tournament winner in golf history has taken her success story full circle in the most heartwarming way possible.

In a move that has captured global attention, Thitikul has quietly purchased the very public driving range in her hometown of Ratchaburi where she first picked up a golf club as a child. Far from turning it into a branded showcase or exclusive venue for the wealthy, she is transforming the facility into the Thitikul Futures Academy — a multi-million-dollar initiative offering free golf instruction and education exclusively to underprivileged youth across Thailand.

This isn’t about fame or fortune. It’s about paying forward the opportunities she once dreamed of but could barely afford.

A Humble Beginning in Ratchaburi

Born on February 20, 2003, in the Ban Pong district of Ratchaburi Province, Thitikul grew up in a working-class family far removed from the glamour of professional golf. Her father, Montree, owned a small car wash, while her mother, Siriwan, ran a hair salon. The family scraped together every baht to support young Atthaya’s passion for the game after a doctor recommended outdoor sports to help with her frequent illnesses as a child.

With no golf course nearby, Thitikul learned the basics at a local public driving range — the same one she has now acquired. Her parents made the hour-long drive to Bangkok on weekends for lessons, sacrificing their time and limited resources so she could practice. At age 10, she realized golf could one day support her family, fueling her determination.

By 14 years, 4 months, and 19 days old, Thitikul made history as the youngest golfer ever to win a professional tournament, claiming the Ladies European Thailand Championship as an amateur in 2017. She turned pro in 2020 and quickly ascended the ranks, joining the LPGA Tour and earning her first victory there in 2022. She reached World No. 1 in the Rolex Women’s Rankings in 2025, becoming one of the youngest to achieve the milestone, and capped a stellar year by defending her CME Group Tour Championship title while securing LPGA Player of the Year honors.

Despite the accolades — including multiple top-10 finishes, major contention, and millions in earnings — Thitikul has remained grounded. No supercars, no extravagant lifestyle. Instead, her focus has always been on family and giving back.

The Vision Behind Thitikul Futures Academy

The newly acquired driving range, once a simple public facility where a young girl hit balls with borrowed clubs, will now serve as the heart of Thitikul Futures Academy. The project combines world-class golf training with academic support, life skills workshops, and mentorship — all provided at no cost to participants from low-income backgrounds.

Thitikul’s goal is clear: to open doors for children who stand at the fence watching, just as she once did, dreaming of a sport that felt out of reach due to financial barriers. The academy will prioritize underserved youth in Ratchaburi and surrounding areas, offering free access to equipment, coaching from certified instructors (potentially including Thitikul herself during off-seasons), and educational programs to ensure holistic development.

This initiative builds on Thitikul’s history of quiet philanthropy. Reports highlight her family’s investments in community projects, including vocational training centers for unemployed youth in Ban Pong. The driving range purchase and academy launch represent her most personal and ambitious endeavor yet — a direct tribute to the place and people who shaped her.

Why This Gesture Resonates So Deeply

In an era where professional athletes’ off-course lives often revolve around luxury endorsements and high-profile spending, Thitikul’s decision stands out for its authenticity. She didn’t announce the purchase with fanfare or press releases. Word spread organically through social media and Thai golf circles, amplified by fans moved by her humility.

“From a poor young girl in Ratchaburi… to becoming the youngest LPGA champion, World No.1, and the family’s main provider at just 22,” one viral tribute read. “Jeeno didn’t just overcome adversity — she came back to lift the children still standing at the fence.”

Her story inspires because it’s relatable. Many young golfers in developing countries face similar hurdles: limited facilities, high costs, and societal priorities elsewhere. By creating a free academy, Thitikul is dismantling those barriers, proving that talent — not money — should determine opportunity in golf.

The academy also aligns with broader efforts to grow the game in Thailand, a nation that has produced stars like Thitikul, Ariya Jutanugarn, and Patty Tavatanakit. By investing in youth, she’s ensuring the pipeline of talent continues while addressing social inequality.

Thitikul’s journey from Ratchaburi to the top of women’s golf is already legendary. Yet this latest chapter may define her legacy more than any trophy. At an age when many athletes focus on personal milestones, she chooses impact.

No flashy announcements. No elite clientele. Just a commitment to the kids who remind her of her younger self — full of dreams, short on resources.

As Thitikul prepares for the 2026 LPGA season, her off-course work may prove her greatest swing yet. The Thitikul Futures Academy isn’t just a facility; it’s a beacon of hope, a reminder that true success is measured by how high you lift others after climbing yourself.

In a sport often criticized for exclusivity, Jeeno Thitikul is rewriting the narrative — one free lesson, one inspired child at a time.