News
From rejecting Mickey Mouse to becoming a pro golfer
Ffion Tynan, a golfer from Wales, recounts her journey from a family vacation in Orlando to becoming a professional competitor on the Ladies European Tour.
Ffion Tynan has secured a spot on the Ladies European Tour after successfully navigating the final qualifying school in Morocco, a significant milestone in her golfing career.
For most children, a trip to Walt Disney World is a dream come true, but not for the young Ffion Tynan, who had other plans in mind.
In contrast to many of her peers, Tynan's response to the idea of visiting Mickey Mouse would have been decidedly different.
During a family vacation in 2012, Tynan opted out of a visit to one of Orlando's theme parks, instead choosing to participate in a kids' holiday club activity, which would prove to be a pivotal decision.
It was on that day that Tynan discovered her aptitude for golf, and a spark was ignited within her.
Now, at the age of 22, Tynan has turned professional, having earned her place on the Ladies European Tour through the qualifying school in Morocco, a testament to her hard work and dedication.
Tynan recall her early days, saying, "I have a younger sister who is two and a half years my junior."
"She wanted to return to one of the Disney parks, but I was not interested, so I ended up joining the kids' camp for the day, a decision that would change the course of my life."
"The coach asked me to stay behind, and I was worried I was in trouble, but instead, they spoke to my parents about my potential talent for golf and encouraged me to continue playing."
"My dad was amused, given my background in gymnastics, but from that moment on, my sister also took up the sport, and our family's vacation plans began to revolve around golf."
Looking back, Tynan reflects on that fateful day with a sense of nostalgia.
"I'm not sure what inspired me to make that choice," she shared with BBC Sport Wales.
"Perhaps if I hadn't been so stubborn as an eight-year-old, my journey might have unfolded differently, but here I am today, grateful for that turning point."
With her sights set on the LPGA Tour, Harry is aiming high after a successful debut season.
Welsh golfers Thompson and Tynan have secured a spot on the Ladies European Tour, a significant achievement for both athletes.
Since discovering her passion for golf, Tynan's family vacations have been planned around the sport, with golf competitions and events often taking center stage.
"Up until 2021, we never went on a holiday that didn't involve golf in some way," Tynan explained.
"We were fortunate to be able to combine our love of golf with family time, often attending events in Florida during the Christmas season, followed by a visit to Disney World or Discovery Cove."
"It was wonderful to have a family holiday within a golf competition, creating lasting memories for all of us."
Tynan's passion for golf also led her to pursue her education in the United States, first at the University of Arkansas and later at the University of Missouri.
"As one of the youngest competitors in larger tournaments, I often looked up to older golfers who had made the journey to America, and it seemed like an exciting opportunity," Tynan said.
"My mom, being a teacher, emphasized the importance of earning a degree, and I was able to do so on a scholarship, allowing me to play golf while studying, a truly valuable experience."
"It was an incredible experience, and I would highly recommend it to anyone considering it, as it allowed me to balance my love of golf with my academic pursuits."
"I was only 17 when I made the move, but I had an amazing time, made lifelong friends, and created unforgettable memories."
"It was a truly cool experience, and I feel grateful to have had the opportunity to pursue my passions in such a supportive environment."
Charley Hull finished tied for second at the 2025 Women's Open at Royal Porthcawl, a notable achievement in the golfing world.
Tynan cites tennis legend Venus Williams as an influence on her career, but her golfing hero is Charley Hull, who was named the Ladies European Tour rookie of the year in 2013.
Tynan has often spoken about the impact Hull has had on her career, saying, "I used to watch her play and try to emulate her swing, and my coach would often remind me to hold my finish like Charley."
"As a child, I would run around the course, watching her play, and trying to mimic her techniques, and now, it's inspiring to see her still competing at a high level."
"It's a testament to her enduring legacy, and I hope to follow in her footsteps, inspiring the next generation of golfers and achieving similar accolades."
"My goal is to give back to the community and show young girls from small towns like mine that they too can achieve their dreams with hard work and determination."
When asked if she had been in contact with her hero, Tynan smiled, saying, "I think there's a fine line between being a peer and a hero, and I'm not sure I'm ready to cross that line just yet."
"Perhaps I'll get the chance to play with her in a major tournament, which would be an incredible experience, but for now, I'm just focusing on my own game and taking things one step at a time."
"I'm hoping to meet her in a tournament setting, which would be a dream come true, and I'm excited to see what the future holds."
"It would be amazing to have the opportunity to play alongside her and learn from her experience, but for now, I'm just taking things one step at a time."
Tynan's journey in golf began on a family holiday, where she discovered her passion for the sport, and she has never looked back.
The 2026 LET season is set to begin in Saudi Arabia, but Tynan will not be participating in the initial event, as her playing rights only grant her access to certain tournaments.
As it stands, Tynan is waiting to find out when she will make her tour debut, but whenever that moment arrives, it will mark the culmination of 14 years of dedication and hard work.
The wait continues for Tynan, but she remains focused on her goals, knowing that her debut on the Ladies European Tour is just on the horizon.
When Tynan finally steps onto the first tee, it will be the realization of a dream she has been chasing for over a decade, and she is ready to take on the challenge.
At the age of nine, Tynan had already determined the course she would pursue, a decision that would unfold over many years.
Following the completion of her four-year college stint, Tynan proceeded to Q-school, aware that a strong performance would pave the way for her to turn professional, an achievement that fills her with pride.
Tynan acknowledges that turning pro is a rare feat, and she feels fortunate to have accomplished it, with her inner self thrilled at the prospect of embarking on this new journey.
Entertainment And Arts
Spielberg Contributes $25,000 to Van Der Beek’s $2 Million Crowdfunding Campaign
The relatives of the deceased actor, known for his role in Dawson’s Creek, have expressed gratitude to those who contributed to the $2m fund.
A donation of $25,000 (£21,000) has been made by film director Steven Spielberg and his wife, Kate Capshaw, to a GoFundMe campaign that has raised over $2m (£1.6m) for the family of late actor James Van Der Beek.

Van Der Beek, who passed away at the age of 48, is survived by his wife Kimberly and their six children, and the crowdfunding effort to support his family has now exceeded its initial target of $2m.
Other notable donors include Oscar-winning actress Zoe Saldana, who contributed $2,500 (£2,108), and director Jon M Chu, who gave $10,000 (£8,432) to the cause.
A statement from the organizers of the fundraiser, Friends of the Van Der Beek family, expressed gratitude to all contributors, stating that their support is deeply appreciated.
The statement highlighted the significance of the donations, saying that the kindness shown by contributors is beyond words.
It also noted that the outpouring of support has been a source of comfort during a difficult time, serving as a reminder of the power of love, community, and the enduring legacy of James Van Der Beek.
Van Der Beek was perhaps best known for his starring role in the popular US teen drama series Dawson's Creek, which aired from 1998 to 2003, although he remained associated with the show until 2023.
Although Van Der Beek and Spielberg never collaborated on a project, the late actor's character in Dawson's Creek was a fan of Spielberg's work, with posters of films like ET and Schindler's List featured in his bedroom.
At a Dawson's Creek cast reunion event last year, Spielberg paid tribute to Van Der Beek by sending a video message.
In the message, Spielberg said, "Dawson, you made it," and jokingly added that he hoped to one day have a room like Dawson's, filled with memorabilia from his films.
Van Der Beek passed away on Wednesday after a battle with bowel cancer.

He had been dealing with the diagnosis since August 2023 and publicly disclosed his condition in November 2024.
The GoFundMe campaign was launched to help the family with medical expenses, which had depleted their funds.
The statement from the organizers concluded by saying that the family is currently taking time to grieve and be together, and thanked everyone for their compassionate and generous support in honoring James Van Der Beek's life.
News
Zimbabwe Shocks Australia with Muzarabani’s Exceptional Performance
Zimbabwe secured a stunning 23-run victory over Australia in the T20 World Cup, with Blessing Muzarabani playing a key role by taking 4-17.
In the current T20 world rankings, Zimbabwe occupies the 12th position.
The Men's T20 World Cup is underway in Group B at Colombo.
Zimbabwe's innings concluded at 169-2 after 20 overs, with Bennett scoring an unbeaten 64 off 56 deliveries, while Green claimed 1-6.
Australia's reply ended at 146 after 19.3 overs, as Renshaw top-scored with 65 off 44 balls, and Muzarabani took 4-17.
The match resulted in a 23-run victory for Zimbabwe.
A standout performance from Blessing Muzarabani, who took 4-17, helped Zimbabwe secure a thrilling 23-run win over Australia in the T20 World Cup.
After being set a target of 170, Australia found themselves in trouble at 29-4, but a 77-run partnership between Matthew Renshaw and Glenn Maxwell for the fifth wicket gave them hope.
With 34 runs needed from the last two overs, Renshaw's dismissal for 65, caught off Muzarabani with eight balls remaining, essentially sealed the game's outcome.
The result has left Group B finely balanced after two matches each, with Australia trailing Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka by two points, ahead of their meeting with Sri Lanka on Monday.
Initially, Zimbabwe's approach to batting first at the R. Premadasa Stadium appeared overly cautious.
Brian Bennett's innings of 64 not out from 56 balls, including seven fours, was played at a strike rate of 114.28, as he anchored the Zimbabwean batting.
In contrast, Tadiwanashe Marumani and Ryan Burl adopted a more aggressive approach, scoring 35 off 21 and 30 balls, respectively.
A late surge from Zimbabwe skipper Sikandar Raza, who scored 25 off 13 balls, including the team's only six on the final ball, provided a boost to their total.
Australia's target seemed achievable, given their total of 182-6 in their previous win against Ireland.
However, the Australian batting line-up was severely dented by the loss of key wickets, including Josh Inglis, Travis Head, Cameron Green, and Tim David, courtesy of Muzarabani and Brad Evans.
A partnership between Renshaw and Maxwell offered some respite, but when Maxwell fell for 31, dragged on to Burl, the pressure mounted on Australia.
Muzarabani's return to bowl the penultimate over proved decisive, as he removed Renshaw, and Zimbabwe subsequently wrapped up the win.
There are calls for the ICC to review the rules regarding 12th men.
For more information, including notifications and social media updates, visit BBC Sport.
A blogger who participates in the FPL is also competing in the T20 World Cup.
News
FA Cup Finalists Outside the Big Six Since 2008
As the FA Cup resumes this weekend, assess your understanding of past finalists that have competed from beyond the Premier League’s top six clubs.
This weekend, the FA Cup resumes with 32 teams remaining in contention for the historic trophy, which has been awarded for 155 years and will be presented to the winner in May.
Historically, the Premier League's top six clubs – Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, and Tottenham – have dominated the FA Cup, claiming 32 titles out of the last 37.
However, in recent years, teams outside of this elite group have experienced some notable victories in the competition.
Since 2008, 10 teams from outside the traditional 'big six' have advanced to the FA Cup final – can you identify all of them?
For more quizzes, visit our Football Quizzes and Sports Quizzes sections, where you can also subscribe to receive the latest quizzes directly on your device.
We have a quiz question tailored to each Premier League team – test your knowledge and see how you score.
Can you recall every team that has won the Women's Champions League?
Which players have made the most appearances in the Premier League – can you name them all?
Explore our Sports Quizzes page for a wide range of challenging and engaging quizzes.
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