There’s more meaning to the drives that Bishop’s sophomore Lucy Yuan brings to golf than just her lengthy tee shots that typically travel 260 yards.
When discussing her strengths as a player, Knights coach David Payne first mentions Yuan’s inner drive that helped her win the last San Diego Section girls individual championship.
“Her composure and professionalism stand out,” Payne said. “Even though Lucy’s amateur age, she carries herself like a professional golfer. Her mindset is always positive, and she doesn’t get too high or too low.”
This is a player who has twice ventured to Georgia to appear at Augusta ahead of the famed Masters in the Drive, Chip & Putt competition for youths. Yuan won her debut there in the girls age 10-11 age group in 2017.
“Golf has taught me a lot of lessons, staying calm in situations where you’re a little anxious or nervous has definitely transferred to everyday life,” said Yuan, who started tourney play at age 6.
High school girls golf has returned to its traditional fall season after being postponed to the spring last school year due to the pandemic.
The 5-foot-5 Yuan took the opening-round lead in the last section tourney at 3 under and was the only player to break par at Oceanside Golf Club. She then went 6 under in the second round at La Costa for a four-shot victory ahead of Steele Canyon freshman Anna Davis.
“It was more fun more than anything else to see all the teams out there wearing their colors, and I got to play with my friends,” Yuan said. “Going into that tournament, I just treated it like any other event. I was there to do my best.”
Yuan followed that win with a comeback victory for her first American Junior Golf Association title to open the summer in the Lanto Junior Championship at the Blacksburg (Va.) Country Club.
Trailing by three strokes going into the last eight holes, Yuan rallied with three birdies to win by two shots with a closing 4-under 68 in the third round.
“I’ve learned that it’s never too late to turn a round around and make a comeback,” Yuan said. “In the beginning of that round, I was losing strokes, but I reminded myself to stay calm and collected.”
Yuan first took up golf after accompanying her father, Xian, to the course in her native Vancouver, B.C. The youngest of three siblings, she became the only one to pursue the game regularly.
When her family decided to move to this country, Yuan noted golf was one factor in coming to Carmel Valley seven years ago. She practices at the nearby Grand Golf Club.
As a youngster, Yuan tuned in to the Masters on television. That only added to the anticipation when she competed in the contest after advancing from regional qualifying.
“When I stepped on the grounds at Augusta, it was definitely a game changer for golf for me,” Yuan said. “It was the experience of a lifetime. The course, the buildings, everything was just perfect.
“I would describe it as a Disneyland for golfers.”
In her return visit in April this year, Yuan placed second overall in the 12-13 bracket while winning the driving portion.
Now it’s back to high school golf on a youthful team also spearheaded by sophomore Sophia Guan and junior Grace Sun from last season’s squad. Yuan will seek a repeat title in the section tournament in early November.
“Golf drives me,” Yuan said. “One big reason is making life-long friends along the way. Another reason I love is winning tournaments. It’s very rewarding to take home a trophy after all that hard work and dedication.”
Indeed, she has the drive to succeed.
Thien is a freelance writer.
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