At just six years old, Arabella Offen is already proving that age is no barrier when it comes to finding a passion and pursuing it.
Golf might not be the first sport that comes to mind for many young girls, but for Arabella, it’s become much more than a hobby. It’s a way to stay active, make friends and challenge herself.
As part of our Women and Girls Like Us campaign, we’re shining a light on inspiring girls and women across Essex who have found activities that help them move more and feel their best. Arabella’s story shows how discovering the right sport can open up a world of opportunities.
Falling in Love with Golf
Arabella’s golf journey started through family. Her dad was a competitive golfer, and from a very young age, Arabella would accompany her family to the golf course. What began as walks around the course spotting ducks soon became something much bigger.
“We purchased a small plastic golf club set which quickly became her favourite toy, For Arabella, she just loved hitting ‘big shots’. From a young age she loved the challenge of seeing how far she could hit it.”
It wasn’t long before that enthusiasm developed into a genuine passion for the sport.
Building Confidence Through Sport
Like many children, Arabella has a naturally competitive spirit and loves testing herself. Golf has provided an outlet for that energy while giving her the chance to explore different courses and meet new people.
“Playing golf has had a real impact on Arabella, she is a really outgoing child who loves to make everything a competition, exploring different courses and meeting new friends has been a real positive. With Arabella starting so young she has learnt the etiquette side of things as well which has been great for her social skills when entering locations of the “old school golf culture”.”
Making Golf More Accessible for Young Girls
Although golf’s popularity continues to grow, Arabella’s family believes there is still more that can be done to introduce young people, especially girls, to the sport.
“I definitely think the way people see golf is changing, a lot of the big golfing events now include kids’ games and really get children involved, but it would be lovely if in schools kids were introduced to the game, we found it made a massive difference to Arabella’s hand-eye coordination which once at school excelled her in other sports.”
A Family Effort
Behind every young athlete is a team of supporters, and for Arabella, that support comes from her whole family.
“This has definitely been a whole family role. With practice everyday at the golf club, to making sure she is staying healthy with eating and drinking the correct products to be in the best position for her sport, she honestly loves the game so much that it wouldn’t be fair for us not to put 100% in as well.”
Their support highlights an important message for parents and carers: helping young girls stay active means encouraging them when they find something they genuinely enjoy.
A Moment to Remember
Despite having only recently turned six, Arabella has already enjoyed some remarkable experiences. One of the biggest came when she became the youngest-ever competitor in the “Beat the Pro” challenge at the KLM Open in the Netherlands. For her parents, it remains an unforgettable moment.
“Seeing her on that tee box at the KLM Open at just four years old, in front of thousands of people, was incredible. She wasn’t fazed at all. She was just excited to be there and hit her shot. And I truly believe that moments like that has now given her the confidence to go up to world class players, be around them and be so involved, there is NO FEAR.”
Since then, Arabella has hit balls alongside professionals on the Ladies European Tour and recently met and practised with England golfer Charley Hull at the Centurion Club.
Her journey is already taking her beyond the UK. After qualifying for the Rome Classic in Italy this October, she’s preparing for another exciting opportunity to test herself against young golfers from across Europe.
“Arabella is just so excited to as she says “hit balls with my friends” but to see her face when she has played well and get that winning medal is priceless.”
While her parents are proud of her achievements, they’re equally proud of the attitude she’s developing along the way.
“She loves competing, but we always tell her that you can’t change your last shot. You have to look forward and focus on improving the rest.”
More Than Just Golf
When asked about their hopes for Arabella’s future, her parents don’t talk first about trophies or titles. Instead, they talk about experiences, friendships and personal growth.
“We are so excited to see where this journey is going to take her, with already so much in the pipeline, with golf, schooling and travel we are just happy she loves the game and wants to experience everything thrown at her. With so many cultures in the sport also she is learning new languages and friendships for a lifetime.”
Her story is a reminder that being active is about far more than physical activity alone. It’s about finding something you love, building resilience and creating opportunities that can shape your future. For Arabella, that journey just happens to begin with a golf club in her hand.
Inspired by Arabella’s story?
The Women and Girls Like Us campaign celebrates real women and girls across Essex who are finding activities they enjoy and discovering the positive impact movement can have on their lives.
Whether it’s golf, football, dance, swimming or simply getting active outdoors, there’s no right or wrong way to get moving. The important thing is finding an activity that works for you. Find out more with our Find your active: Move for Your Mind campaign here!
