Player to watch: Angelina Hwang

By FIONA MORIARTY-MCLAUGHLINThe game of golf is a patient, strategic and mental challenge. Sometimes, someone can pick up a golf club and fall in love. Angelina Hwang (’14) did just that and is a top member of the girls’ golf team as a result.Hwang’s father first introduced her to the sport as a child. He would take her out to the driving range where they would hit ball after ball together. She has been playing ever since due to her father's influence."I think golf is both a solitary and a team sport," Hwang said. "The solitary aspect comes from the fact that you're the one in control of all the shots; you choose which club to use and how hard to swing. The team aspect is that during games, there is a combination of camaraderie and conversation between teams. So I've learned to be a good sport and be a good competitor."Hwang is committed to golf while being an active student at Samo. She is the creative director of the yearbook, captain of Team Marine, president of Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA), member of the executive board for Delians and a national youth leader of the Jane Goodall's Institute Roots and Shoots."In order to balance my schoolwork with golf and extracurriculars, I have to stay organized and ensure that I stay on top of things," Hwang said. "But it's always a constant struggle not to procrastinate."While being leader and captain of the girls' golf team, Hwang has shown dedication to the sport by taking lessons outside of Samo to improve her technique and make the most of her time on the driving range.According to teammate Tiana Elliston ('16), Hwang motivates other players and serves as a role model to the team as a whole."[Hwang] is a great player because you can tell she's motivated and concentrated," Elliston said. "I've never seen her take a shot she wasn't ready for. You can see how hard she tries and that is a huge inspiration."According to coach Ryan Hoffman, Hwang will take part in making the team excel more than last year."[Hwang] will lead our team in getting better than last season," Hoffman said. "She will be influential in making sure the rest of the girls work hard to improve off of their work last season and from the summer. [Hwang] has a strong mental attitude and doesn't let her emotions get her upset on the golf course which is very important, as [golf] is as much of a mental game as it is a physical one."