Girls golf player of the year
Elisa Yang, Wesleyan
Achievements: Three-time GHSA champion; No. 16 prospect in Class of 2017 by Golfweek; ranked 53rd on Junior Golf Scoreboard; won AJGA's Vaughn Taylor Championship and Scott Stallings Championship; won GSGA Top 60 Women's Classic.
Height/Weight: 5-foot-4, 120 pounds
Class: Senior
College choice: Signed with Georgia
Why Georgia: I just love Athens; I think it's a great city. The athletes are getting better and preparing for their future. It shows because the Bulldogs have done very well in professional golf. I'm excited about being a part of their team.
Best high school moment: Graduating. Being able to toss your cap in the air is a great feeling.
Why golf: I've played golf for eight years. It's my passion. It's what I love, and it's what I'm good at.
What you'd like to be doing in 10 years: I'd like to be playing professionally on the LPGA tour. It's always been a dream of mine since I was little. To be able to watch players on TV, I see myself doing that.
Favorite high school course: I'm a math person. I don't know what I want to study in college. It might be business, but that could change.
Favorite high school golf course: Capital City. It's pretty open, and I shot a 67 there. I loved it.
People who helped along the way: My parents (Sun and Illkwon Yang), my coach (Jun Yum) and my high school coach, Mrs. (Leslie) Grogan.
Toughest high school opponent: Layne Carter of Vidalia. My freshman year we tied for second. The next year we tied for first. My junior year, she was as senior, and it was like a little duel, and I ended up winning, but she was the toughest I've faced. (Carter is now on the West Georgia golf team.)
Favorite movie: "Schreck." I love animation and that movie is so funny. Donkey is my favorite.
Favorite song: "DNA" by Kendrick Lamar. It has a good message behind it.
If you could be any other athlete on earth: Lexi Thompson. She's very strong. She's very brave. She doesn't give up. Overall, she's just a very good player.
Money or happiness: Happiness. You can have money and still not be happy. But you can be happy, and it doesn't matter how much money you have.
Best word to describe yourself: Determined. I practice every day and I practice with a purpose and I practice to get better every day.
View of the world at this moment: There are so many things going on right now. Overall, I'd say optimistic.
What you would put in a time capsule: I'd put down the very first day I played golf. It's just a favorite memory for me, and I like to remember it. I want to remember just hitting the golf ball for the first time. I remember my first coach telling me I had a great swing.
About the Author