Sandy Choi Drives Deep Falcons Team to Golf Dominance

By Brad Hollingsworth

It may not be far from the truth, but a practice round for a member of the Torrey Pines High girls’ golf team may be tougher than most matches. So, when Sandy Choi jumped to the front and captured the CIF individual tournament and then followed that up with the low score at the Southern California Regional Championships, it was not that surprising.

“My teammates helped me the most this season because they were encouraging and supportive, said Choi, a junior. “The team is very competitive, and we always bring out the best in each other.”

That formula worked to perfection at the State Championships. The Falcons used their superior depth to score a two-stroke victory over Torrance to earn their second consecutive state title at the Poppy Hills Golf Course in Pebble Beach. Leading the way that day was Choi’s teammate Sarah Cho, who shot a 1-under-par 71 to win the state individual title after a two-hole playoff.

Choi was equally as dominant at the CIF Section Championship at the Escondido Country Club. She bested the women’s course record with an opening round 63 and then finished with a 67 to tie the two-day mark set last year by Carlsbad’s Rachel Morris.

Choi followed that up with a stellar performance at the SoCal Regionals. She battled strong winds, lightning fast greens and tricky pin placements to shoot a 2-under 70 to win the individual title and help Torrey Pines finish second behind Palm Desert and secure the opportunity to defend their state championship.

“Winning CIF individually was my most memorable moment,” she said. “That is because I shot my best round of golf and set the section record. The support from my family and teammates were the main reason for my success this season.”

Choi hopes to land a college scholarship after her prep career is over next season, but she knows there is some unfinished business left at Torrey Pines.

“My goal for next season is to play like I did this year and for our team to defend our state championship,” Choi said. “After high school, I want to play college golf at a top university and I hope to learn and have many different experiences through college golf.”

Photos by Bill Reilly