Sophomore Swings Solo for BVAL Title
Katelyn Chang wins girls' individual title for BVALs and advances to CCS.
By Tatiana Viera
Katelyn Chang wins girls' individual title for BVALs and advances to CCS.
By Tatiana Viera
As the only girl on the boys’ golf team and competing as an individual in the girls’ division, Katelyn Chang, 10, won the Blossom Valley Athletic League Girls’ Golf Individual Tournament at the Santa Teresa Golf Course on Oct. 17.
After BVALs, Chang went on to compete in the Central Coast Section Girls Golf Championships at the Laguna Seca Golf Ranch in Monterey, California and placed twenty-fifth out of 114 athletes with a score of 81.
“When I found out there was no girls’ golf team, I felt sad that I wouldn’t be able to compete with a team at the girls CCS. But I know of many other good girl golfers from Pioneer that became better players from playing on the boys team,” said Chang.
Gold team head coach Jeff Steinberg, has been working with golfers for 16 years and recognizes her passion for the sport
“She plays on the boys team and is a daily motivating factor to her teammates and me,” said Steinberg. “She is very dedicated to always getting better and her teammates see that and strive to get better as well.”
When Chang plays in golf matches, she tries to put everything aside and stay concentrated on what she's doing. This is because she sees that bigger things are coming for her in the future of her golf career.
“I just try to keep consistent and not really think about my surroundings so that I can focus on the game,” said Chang.
Steinberg is amazed by how far Chang has come this year. He is looking forward to having her for more years in the golf team of Pioneer.
“It’s been pretty cool to watch her progress and that's all been through her hard work. That’s how amazing she displays her passion obviously when she goes out and shoots a good score. That's passion right there. It really comes down to her practice every day,” said Steinberg.
She is hoping that she will continue to play in college because of the passion she has for the sport and the support she receives from her family.
“It has had a big impact, affecting how I interact with my family and a lot of the stuff that I do after school,” said Chang.
After BVALs, Chang went on to compete in the Central Coast Section Girls Golf Championships at the Laguna Seca Golf Ranch in Monterey, California and placed twenty-fifth out of 114 athletes with a score of 81.
“When I found out there was no girls’ golf team, I felt sad that I wouldn’t be able to compete with a team at the girls CCS. But I know of many other good girl golfers from Pioneer that became better players from playing on the boys team,” said Chang.
Gold team head coach Jeff Steinberg, has been working with golfers for 16 years and recognizes her passion for the sport
“She plays on the boys team and is a daily motivating factor to her teammates and me,” said Steinberg. “She is very dedicated to always getting better and her teammates see that and strive to get better as well.”
When Chang plays in golf matches, she tries to put everything aside and stay concentrated on what she's doing. This is because she sees that bigger things are coming for her in the future of her golf career.
“I just try to keep consistent and not really think about my surroundings so that I can focus on the game,” said Chang.
Steinberg is amazed by how far Chang has come this year. He is looking forward to having her for more years in the golf team of Pioneer.
“It’s been pretty cool to watch her progress and that's all been through her hard work. That’s how amazing she displays her passion obviously when she goes out and shoots a good score. That's passion right there. It really comes down to her practice every day,” said Steinberg.
She is hoping that she will continue to play in college because of the passion she has for the sport and the support she receives from her family.
“It has had a big impact, affecting how I interact with my family and a lot of the stuff that I do after school,” said Chang.