As a parent, there’s nothing more rewarding than watching your child succeed. For Jennifer Tse, that joy runs especially deep as her 13-year-old daughter, Rachel Adamis, has become an exceptional young golfer — winning 11 stops on the McLennan Ross Alberta Junior Tour in 2025. But there’s far more to Rachel’s story than her talent on the course.
“Rachel started golfing when she was 3 years old, she was in her first Junior Golf camp at the Derrick Club. The first time she hit her golf ball with a putter and the ball moved 15 feet, she was so excited. Rachel started jumping up and down and cheering. She was hooked from that moment on. Since then, she would always ask to do more golf camps and classes.“
Since those early days, golf has meant more to Rachel than just competition. “Golf has provided Rachel the opportunity to make new friends,” Jennifer explains. “She can talk about golf all the time, and her golf friends are just as excited to join in.” Beyond the friendships, Rachel loves the peaceful views and the sense of calm she finds on every new course she visits.
What began as a fun family activity has grown into something transformative. Golf has taught Rachel valuable life lessons, and just like life, there are both good and bad moments, the key is to keep moving forward.
“Rachel has high functioning Autism. She has difficulties interacting with people and making friends. Golf has helped Rachel navigate life challenges through her disability by providing her opportunities to meet like-minded people so she can work on her communication and socialization skills.“
When Rachel first played on the McLennan Ross Alberta Junior Tour in 2024, she was shy and rarely spoke to the other girls. Fast forward to 2025, and she’s not only a top competitor but also a social spark — regularly coming home with new friends and planning get-togethers outside of golf.
“Rachel’s autism provides her the strength of Hyperfocus. During golf tournaments, Rachel can focus so hard and tune out all other stimuli allowing her to golf better than her handicap. This Hyperfocus also gives Rachel Nerves of Steel. She is even more confident when she plays tournaments and thrives under pressure.“
For Jennifer, the greatest reward isn’t just Rachel’s victories — it’s watching her daughter blossom socially and emotionally through golf.
“Rachel met her best friend Nha Truong at the Edmonton Golf Association Junior Golf Tournament in July 2025. Watching the girls holding hands and skipping down the fairway during the golf tournament just melted my heart.“
Rachel’s excellence on the course continued this past September at the Alberta All Abilities Championship, an event created in 2023 to give golfers with disabilities a chance to compete and connect. Rachel shot her two best rounds of the year — including breaking 80 for the first time — and finished second in the Net Division.
But golf’s impact reaches even deeper for Rachel and her family. In 2021, Rachel’s father passed away from cancer, a devastating loss for the family. In addition to the confidence it has built for Rachel, it became a tool to help the family bond through additional challenges.
“Rachel was heartbroken when her dad died of cancer in 2021. Her dad used to drive her in a power cart at the Derrick club and watch her golf. Their favorite hole was the water hole. Late in the evening when the course was quiet, the two of them would try to hit as many balls as possible over the water. After the passing of her father, Rachel wanted to golf more, and golfing kept us busy and focused. It helped us both mourn our loss and allowed us bonding time to strengthen our relationship.“
Rachel’s twin brother Maxim lives with severe autism and following their father’s death had to move into a group home due to safety concerns. Yet golf has continued to bring the family together.
“Golf has been so therapeutic for Rachel and our family. Golfing outside and being in nature has helped ground us and eased our grieving. The Derrick Club has been so accommodating to our family. Maxim, with his Autism service dog Jefferson, will walk with us on the golf course at The Derrick Club when Rachel is playing practice rounds. Golfing is one of the few activities the twins can share and be safe together.”
Rachel’s dedication to the game is evident. She now practices every day with her best friend, Nha. “Rachel went from a 40 Handicap Index in June 2024 to an 11.9 in September 2025,” Jennifer proudly shares. “Her confidence has grown so much — she’s no longer shy and often does a little ‘happy dance’ after hitting a great shot.”
The staff and members at The Derrick Golf & Winter Club have been an incredible support system. “The course has become a second home,” Jennifer says. “Everyone goes out of their way to interact with Rachel. Many of the female members invite her to play, and she was even asked to play in the club’s Solheim Cup — where she contributed 11 of a possible 12 points for her team.”
One of Rachel’s biggest mentors has been Adam Werbicki, who has coached her since she first started golfing. He’s become a father figure and an instrumental part of Rachel’s development, both on and off the course.
It takes a village to raise a child, and Rachel’s village is full of champions. Her former teacher, Mrs. Tara Jones, at George P. Nicholson Elementary School, supported her passion by setting up a chipping net at recess and even attending her tournaments.
Now at Vimy Ridge School, Rachel is thriving in their Elite Program, which allows her to train with Coach Werbicki up to five times a week. This year, she’ll join the school’s Junior High Golf Program.
As a single mom, Jennifer admits that balancing work and Rachel’s golf schedule is challenging, but she’s grateful for the help of Rachel’s grandfather, Kevin Morris, who often drives Rachel to practices and tournaments.
While Rachel and Jennifer have been forced to navigate some difficult challenges in life, the two of them are grateful for all that golf has provided this star junior. The friends, the self-confidence, the growth, and a haven. Most importantly, golf has provided them a bond forged through hardship and given Jennifer a lifetime of happy moments, capped off with the knowledge that golf has helped Rachel with the life skills to be an independent and confident young woman.