Erin Hawe
Erin is a recent prodigy of Matamata College. She grew up in Walton, attended Matamata Intermediate and then Matamata College from 2005 to 2009. As well as contributing in numerous fields while at school, including being Deputy Head Girl in 2009, her true claim to fame is her golfing stardom.
Erin lived opposite the Walton Golf Course and was influenced to play golf by her parents, Ann Higgins (ex-Waikato golfer) and her late Grandmother Margaret Hawe. From day one she never looked back. By the age of 14 Erin was on a single-figure handicap. She had a promise of a new set of golf clubs when she achieved that feat so that became a major incentive. By 16 she was a scratch handicapper. College golf teams have always been strong and successful, but the final year Erin was part of the team they won the Waikato Secondary School title and went on to play at the National Secondary School Championships.
Erin has had the honour of being selected by NZ Golf to represent her country playing a number of tournaments in Australia. The first was the Junior Trans Tasman Cup (Aussie won!), then again in the Jack Newton event. In 2010 she played the Junior Trans Tasman Cup for a second time and NZ got their revenge.
Erin’s ambition from a very young age was to gain a scholarship and attend University in America. This she did and is now in her second year at Kent State University. Although golf is her main focus she has completed her first year towards a degree in Interpersonal Communications with a 3.52 GPA.
As a freshman the competition to represent the University at Golf was highly competitive and means hours of practice and many long trips to compete in competitions.
As reported by the Kent State Women’s Golf website, “Hawe had a strong first season at Kent State, where she participated in seven events. Most notably, Hawe shot a team-record 65 during the third round of the Mercedes-Benz Women’s Championship, helping her to a seventh-place finish at the elite event.
For the first time in program history, four Kent State women’s golfers garnered All-American Scholar honours from the National Golf Coaches Association and freshman Erin Hawe (Walton, New Zealand) was recognized by the NGCA for her excellence in the classroom as well as in golf”.
Erin credits much of her success to the opportunities presented to her at Matamata College. She took every opportunity academically, in sporting pursuits and culturally. Being involved in the College Production of “Smithy” was a highlight as well as actively serving on a number of committees during Year 13.
In her own words Erin sums up the “influence Matamata College had on her life” as: the variety of opportunities Matamata College provides it students is imperative to personal growth both inside and outside of the classroom. Matamata College provided me with a comprehensive education, lifelong friendships and an abundance of support in achieving my goals.”
Erin is the product of parents who attended Matamata College, Keith Hawe and Leigh Martin. Her older sister who has completed a degree at Waikato University and is now living and working in Perth, and her younger sister Ella who attends college presently.