Shrewsbury student Ratchanon ‘TK’ Chantananuwat continues to make headlines in the golfing world, and beyond, due to his impressive performance on the Asian Tour; the principal professional golf tour in Asia. 

At just 14 years old, and playing as an amateur, he almost became the youngest ever winner on an Asian Tour event by finishing 3rd at ‘The Singapore International’ earlier in January - TK’s first international golfing challenge. 

And at the ‘SMBC Singapore Open’ the following week, of 129 players, TK ranked at tie 34th. A highly impressive result for a 14 year old secondary school student, who continues to balance his time on the golf course with the academic focus needed for GCSE studies.  

TK currently sits as the world number 462, one of the youngest people ever to make it to the ‘Official World Golf Ranking’ (OWGR) tables, and the future looks promising for this golfing prodigy. 

As an amateur, this is by no means TK’s first involvement in a professional golfing tour, battling fierce competition from pro-players twice his age last year at the 2021 All Thailand Golf Tour (ATGT). He drew attention from experts and sporting journalists alike when, in September, he came 5th position at the ‘Singha all Thailand Championship’, and only the very next month came in 2nd place at the ‘Singha Laguna Phuket Open’. 

Since TK joined Shrewsbury International School, he has always shown a keen passion for sport. Director of Sports and Activities, Paul Rotheram, praises TK’s enthusiasm and ability to combine his passion with the academic and co-curricular rigors of school life:

“TK is a wonderful example of a young man who has really dedicated himself in the pursuit of excellence. His recent success has not happened by accident, he has spent hours and hours over recent years practicing his game. Whilst he is very dedicated to his golf, we also know he finds the time to keep on top of his school work and spend time with his friends. His parents are very proud of him, as are we at Shrewsbury. His golf is getting better and better and we wish him all the best for the future!"

Shrewsbury’s recent 1.1 billion thb senior school investment includes a 340sqm professional, athlete-standard, 'Strength and Conditioning Suite' - which will provide even more support for TK, as well as other aspiring Shrewsbury athletes, helping to develop the strength, flexibility and balance required of pro-golfers.

Shrewsbury already features an excellent golf programme as part of a dedicated co-curricular initiative and can boast numerous examples of student golfing success, including alumni such as Vicky Tip-Aucha, who earned a golf scholarship to study at Penn State University, as well as Jacky Chulya who is now a professional golfer and captain of the Yale University Golf Team.