Panther golf is swinging big for the SCIAC Championships
Courtesy of Chapman Athletics
Golf is a very finicky sport. At least, that’s what Chapman golf head coach Ming Lao says. But his end goal for this season is to push his teams to the very top.
“They ought to perform at the highest level,” Lao said. “But golf is so strange. Nothing is assured, and that’s in any sport. I get it. Golf is just really temperamental.”
The unpredictability of the game will be one of the biggest challenges both squads will have to face. The Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) Championships are the most high-stakes competition of the season.
In the last two rounds of the in-season SCIAC tournaments, the men’s team placed seventh in the first event and fifth in the second. The women’s team placed seventh in both competitions. Nationally, the men’s team is ranked 65th, and the women’s team stands at 58th.
For the men’s side, freshman business administration major Kendrick Tan has been a steady presence.
“I've played a couple of events pretty well. In terms of score, I think I've contributed to all of the events so far,” Tan said. “I've tried to be positive about outcomes … it's really easy for us to get down when we don't play well or when we're in a tough spot or struggling.”
Consistency is the main focus for the men’s team. In the last two SCIAC competitions, Chapman recorded five top-20 finishes, with senior business administration major Conner Conley leading the team with a sixth-place finish in the second leg of the tournament.
Another important aspect of golf is attitude and morale. With the SCIAC Championships being a three-day, 54-hole tournament, frustration can build quickly.
“Something our coach has really reinforced is the importance of grit and grind and how we need to fight through any adversities that come to us throughout the tournament,” Tan said.
On the women’s side, the team looks to use their chemistry as the foundation for improvement.
“I think I've been playing some of the best golf I've ever played, and the chemistry with the girls has honestly helped me get there,” freshman film production major Lauren Lee said. “Just knowing that I have their support and that we're constantly supporting each other is honestly what gives me the motivation to shoot the best I can.”
Lee led the Panthers in the last two SCIAC matchups with a 25th-place finish and a 12th-place finish.
“Our goal, honestly, is to win every single time … it's just we need to peak all at the same time,” Lao said. “That’s what I'm crossing my fingers for.”
The tournament will take place from April 23 to 25, and as it steadily approaches, Chapman golf is aiming to swing into a strong season finish. For the upperclassmen, it is a testament to the dedication and hours spent on the course. For the underclassmen, it’s the experience that will prepare them for the seasons ahead. Either way, the course awaits.