USE OF AND/OR REGISTRATION ON ANY PORTION OF THIS SITE CONSTITUTES ACCEPTANCE OF OURVISITOR AGREEMENT(UPDATED 1/6/23),PRIVACY AND COOKIES NOTICE(UPDATED 1/4/23) ANDCALIFORNIA PRIVACY NOTICE. She also sets difficult challenges for herself, which include making 100 4-foot putts in a row, so when I play in tournaments Ive already been in a competitive game mode, Zhang explained. 6 in Golfweeks girls junior rankings, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. No way.. Unlike sports such as soccer and basketball, golf has a steep start-up cost before you even arrive at the range with equipment. George quickly put her back on track for progress and health. She had an old head on young shoulders, Pinnell said. American Junior Golf Association 1980 Sports Club Drive Braselton, GA 30517 (877) 373-2542 (770) 868-4200 (Phone) (770) 868-4211 (Fax) ajga@ajga.org Nov 02, 2021. Zhang has a snapshot of herself with Irvines best-known golfer: Tiger Woods. She also got to play at the inaugural Augusta National Womens Amateur in Georgia last spring. [8][9]She has won three times theMark H. McCormack Medalas the top-ranked amateur at the end of the 2020, 2021 and 2022 seasons.[10][11]. But she has realized that she needs to limit her circle and try to shut out any external stuff that may be negative.. It was really a special day for women in golf. An Arizona Wildcat sophomore in 2001-02, Ochoa won her first seven tournaments starts before finishing second at Pac-10 Championship in April. Thats been the fun part. He'll return for her title defense in the latter, which begins Monday at Westchester Country Club in Rye, New York. The discipline and focus are off-the-charts high. Zhang made the cut, finishing T-55 at 7-over 291 at age 16. He knows how to encourage golfers to face the challenges and he knows everything about the growth of a good junior golfer in the process. Someday she hopes to play on the Ladies Professional Golf Association tour. I dont set specific goals, but try to keep myself in a strict practice, said Zhang. We paid a visit to Bills grave and then sat around swapping old stories. The fact that you will drive all the way to The Olympic Club, in San Francisco and back, proves that you are a real champion deserving of all the accolades, titles and trophies that your players win. She's already 263rd on the Rolex Womens World Golf Rankings. She did not hit one shot on the range. and Rose Zhang (born May 24, 2003 [1]) is an American amateur golfer. Zhang started playing when she was 9 after she picked up one of her dads golf clubs and took a swing. Ive struggled so much through my high school career, but George was always there to guide me in the right direction. Pinnell doesnt speak unless Zhang initiates. George Pinnell has worked with Zhang for six years and said the laser-focused teen rarely has time away from her golf and studies. Now 16, shes soared up the amateur rankings, featured on the LPGA and verbally committed to Stanford in the class of 2021. They like to keep it tight with few loose-moving parts. Steve's first byline appeared in the Register in 1979. The tournament is open to any players age 13-19 who meet the eligibility requirements and are not yet affiliated with a college golf team. After several minutes she threw the club back in the bag and told her father Ive got it and that it was time to have a nice dinner and rest. In this time of Thanksgiving, we want to express our appreciation for you. A lot of us want a little more than just golf, said Stanford sophomore Angelina Ye, who finished 15th and walked most of the back nine with Zhang. Amateur Championships in August, battling a left wrist injury that had her considering withdrawing from the tournament at Woodmont Country Club in Rockville, Md. Yes, the messages were from Zhangs number, the 12-year-old golfer Pinnell was coaching. Shes an extremely humble youngster. USGA A week before the U.S. Women's Amateur, Rose Zhang wasn't even sure she would be able to tee it up in the event. That was very frustrating since she started golf late and had only been playing for two and half years. His list of players include a PGA Tour Champion, a LPGA Tour Champion, an USGA Champion, 2-NCAA All-Americans, and 31 Polo Junior All-Americans. View Full List We, and all of those who you touch, owe you a deep, thank you, from the heart. The first question asked of her was to describe the adventure on the par-5 13th. I loved the campus, the practice facility, the academic opportunities there and my coach and my teammates.. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images). Zhang is No. Which is what makes Roses reaction to a tough loss all the more impressive. I love Rose, said another future Cardinal teammate Rachel Heck, I think everybody does. But were these questions really from a middle schooler, when they read more like something a 20-year-old would ask? 5 Auburn, 5&4, Won her championship match vs. No. Phil Mickelson won three NCAA titles at ASU. Much was expected from Zhang upon her arrival in Palo Alto. Before our friend referred us to Coach George, Angie was at a standstill and shot in the upper 80s and even 90s with consistent back pain after her freshman Fall season in December 2019. Rose Zhang has also been No. Predicting how child prodigies will fare in the future is a bit like trying to guess winning lottery numbers. MORE: Rose Zhang completes rare double with dominant victory at U.S. Her patience is just unreal. 16 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking. Junior Rachel Heck, the 2021 NCAA individual champion . It's a rapid. She defeated then reigning U.S. Women's Amateur champion Gabriela Ruffles on the 36th hole to crown herself the champ last year, and officially became the No. She was on the cusp of winning the 72nd US Girls' Junior Championship at Columbia Country Club in Chevy Chase, Md., but had lost the. Its just more hassle to go around and see which courses I can play at.. In June 2022, Adidas announced its first name, image, and likeness deal with Zhang, making her the companys first student athlete. George has been a critical part of my development as a player both physically and mentally as he has provided me great advice not only in golf but in life as well. Im pretty in tune in knowing what my body is doing, she said. He was in the inaugural class inducted into the Santa Ana Unified School District Sports Hall of Fame. Wins. While her coach said any number of things can sidetrack a burgeoning career be it injuries, other hobbies or a burnout he doesnt expect it to happen to Zhang. The next day, Zhang shot 67 and won the tournament. Rose Zhang overcame a shaky front nine to shoot a 3-over 75 on Monday, capping her stellar freshman season by becoming Stanford's second straight individual NCAA champion. Shell be three back of the leader and the next thing you know, she finds a way to get something done.. I learned a lot more about the real world, she said. She defeated then reigning U.S. Womens Amateur champion Gabriela Ruffles on the 36th hole to crown herself the champ last year, and officially became the No. We appreciate your high standards, your persistence, your encouragement, and your sense of humor. Thanks to George, I am always able to find my confidence again and focus on my game. The information and support he gives to his players is really valuable. 1 for a reason: Stanford freshman phenom Rose Zhang holds on to win individual title wire-to-wire at 2022 NCAA Championship", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rose_Zhang&oldid=1126143045, Winners of ladies' major amateur golf championships, Pan American Games gold medalists for the United States, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, 2017 Junior PGA Championship, Junior America's Cup, 2018 ANA Junior Inspiration, Swinging Skirts AJGA Invitational, The PING Invitational, 2019 Toyota Junior World Cup, Swinging Skirts AJGA Invitational, Rolex Tournament of Champions, This page was last edited on 7 December 2022, at 19:41. She made just two bogeys over 54 holes en route to shooting a school-record-tying 16-under 197 at the Stanford Golf Club. They pile into a car, driven by Henry, and usually head to the course in silence. In 2022, Callaway Golf announced its first name, image, and likeness deal with Zhang, making her the companys first student athlete. During my first few classes, George already corrected nearly unnoticeable but very crucial mistakes in just my set up that I had never even realized. And I think she knows that. For us, Coach George Pinnell has been the best coach ever to help my daughter Alesia Barry succeed as a junior golfer. Steve also is in the Southern California Interscholastic Basketball Coaches Hall of Fame, and was the first journalist to receive the Contribution to Education award from the Orange County Department of Education. And not only does he teach my daughter golf skills, he also coaches her on mental guidance and how to be a better person. We use TrackMan a lot., This impeccable self-awareness of the basics helps Zhang both technically and mentally on the course. The day-to-day grind caught up with Zhang around the beginning of the year, when she battled tendinitis in her arm and wrist. I was always very into my golf game and didnt really have time to talk to other people. She practices every day after school. 6 in Golfweek's girls junior rankings and No. But remember the name: Zhang looks like the real deal. 8 Georgia, 1up, Won her semifinal match vs. No. She also credits her father for developing her into a tough competitor. Its a passion.. We see the success of Rose Zhang: her wins, her clutch putts and her consistency. Dave looked hale and healthy and said he still played golf a few times a week. the U.S. Girls Junior Amateur title in July, Heck won five straight tournaments to cap her freshman year in the spring. He covered Essex and the South East of England and he knew his beat, knew the officials and the players in his region and chronicled their stories, their progress, exposing them to a wide audience. she improved much under his good teaching and is on the way to succeed as a junior golfer step by step. Steve does concert reviews for the Register, too, when time permits. A. The West Coast Junior Open will feature daily coverage on and will be ranked by both the Golfweek/Sagarin Rankings and The Junior Golf Scoreboard. She is the second consecutive individual title winner for the Cardinal. He asked Ko if he could introduce Zhang to her and snap a few photos of the pair. Zhang opened her college account by winning the Molly Collegiate Invitational before adding the Windy City Collegiate Classic the following week. The tournament is open to any players age 13-19 who meet the eligibility requirements and are not yet affiliated with a college golf team. By signing up, you agree to the Girls' Junior on Saturday at Columbia Country Club in historic fashion. And after some lessons, she entered a nine-hole tournament to test her game. Georges knowledge and experience gives him the ability to be direct and speak to what changes should be made to improve my performance. He writes a weekly column on the county high school sports scene and also covers games and writes features. She defeated then reigning U.S. Women's Amateur champion Gabriela Ruffles on the 36th hole to crown. 1 amateur? Getty Images. Heck won five straight tournaments to cap her freshman year in the spring. That was on full display when she came up one shot short of a playoff at Augusta National, watching a 12-foot birdie putt on the 18th slide right of the hole. George and I have become good friends during our time spent together during the last few years. Now, with a Girls Junior PGA and ANA Junior Inspiration championship under her belt (which landed her an LPGA. 1-ranked women's amateur in the world. It was my honor to push your scooter at The Open. I learned a lot more about the real world, she said. It was I cant, honestly, she said laughing. He is always there to check in with how I am feeling before and after the rounds. George has taught some of the best players in the world and helped them to where they are now in their careers. True, so lets not hand the precocious teenager a trophy cabinet full of major silverware just yet. And when Rose makes a mistake when shes playing, you dont get too nervous, because she has a way of rectifying and really coming back strong.. For a player who easily grasps big-picture perspectives, the value of a back-up plan surely isnt lost on her. When I first came to him when I was 11, his way of teaching really intrigued me with all the technology he had including Trackman, his side/front swing cameras, and his large TVs. I dont think one person could say a negative thing about Rose.. Golf Central Zhang low am; likely headed back to Stanford BY. The 2023 Golfweek Southwest Junior Open returns May 27-28, to award winning Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club in Maricopa, AZ. She never gets away from that, said Pinnell. I have been working with George since I was 14. [5][6], Zhang won the U.S. Women's Amateur in August 2020 after defeating Gabriela Ruffels in the final on the 38th hole. Aug 28, 2021. When shes not golfing, she can be found doing homework, surfing the web, watching Chinese variety shows and hanging out with friends. I am truly grateful for everything George has taught me in both golf and life. That time was tough mentally and physically, said Zhang, who could not practice for several weeks. She takes the game seriously, yet accepts the results as they come. 1 spot in the World Amateur Golf Ranking since September 2020. Win or lose, when Zhang walks away from Team USA and returns to the usual isolating amateur summer, spending hours alone in the confines of her mind, a new Rose Zhang will emerge. Zhang has also signed with Amundi, Beats, Uswing and Paradox. The use of software that blocks ads hinders our ability to serve you the content you came here to enjoy. In May 2022, Zhang won the individualNCAA Championshipby 3 shots. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. When pressed for an example, Pinnell tells a story from the AJGA Ping Invitational last October, when Zhang fell four strokes back after a 75. Zhang also won the PING Invitational this year to become the first juniors-level two-time PING Invitational champion. Rose Zhang is now three for three in college starts, winning the Stanford Invitational this weekend with a school-record-tying 16-under total. We see so many coaches with elite talent who dont totally know what to do with that talent, said Walker, and they get overwhelmed with it themselves., Rose Zhang hugs Ingrid Lindblad on the 18th green during the final round of the Augusta National Womens Amateur at Augusta National Golf Club on April 03, 2021 in Augusta, Georgia. This mainly affected players from the former Soviet Union, such as Viktor Onopko, and the former Yugoslavia, such as Davor uker. Zhang processes things differently, he said. This July, Zhang won the U.S. Applied Divisor. Stanford freshman Rose Zhang at Siebel Varsity Golf Training Complex. With the technology and his ability to analyze my swing effectively, my game has really improved greatly in each stage of junior and amateur golf. 21.8301. A perfect Zhang story, but not often told, occurred at the 2020 Ping Invitational. It's been a great month of golf for me so far thanks to George Pinnell! George quickly put her back on track for progress and health. Subscribe now. On a school day, practice begins for Zhang at 2:30 p.m. and ends at 7:30, consisting of 200-300 golf balls on the range and an hour each for chipping and putting. Among them a two-time Mark H McCormack Medal winner (2020 and 2021) as the leading player on the World Amateur Golf Ranking; 2020 U.S. Women's Amateur champion; 2021 U.S. Girls' Champion; two-time Rolex Junior Player of the Year; a member of the victorious 2021 U . Copyright 1996 - Several times different people mentioned like this reminds them back in the day when Tiger was here in the 1990s and people in the community knew the players and were watching the players and wanting to come out and see them in person. Girls' Junior Am. Rose Zhang has also been No. Thanks to George, I am always able to find my confidence again and focus on my game. They have done wonders for me, Zhang said of Pacific Academys teachers and staff. We could not thank George enough for devoting some of his time to Angie's interest! She defeated then reigning U.S. Womens Amateur champion Gabriela Ruffles on the 36th hole to crown herself the champ last year,and officially became the No. I could go on, but you get the drift. Theyve given me a flexible schedule to work with and when I come back from a tournament they help me catch up.. My daughter Alice ziyi Zhao is lucky and proud to have George Pinnell as her golf coach, she likes his teaching very much. Zhangs father was on the bag during her low-am run at the 2020 ANA and her U.S. Women's Amateur win. Rose Zhang, who is the top-ranked junior golfer, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Rose Zhang, who is the top-ranked junior golfer in the world and a student at Irvines Pacific Academy, signs with Stanford, Orange County scores and player stats for Saturday, March 4, Orange County girls water polo Top 10: Orange Lutheran finishes No. Not many reading this will know of the Dave Hamilton. When I didnt play golf I heard a lot more voices than when I was practicing, she said. She also sets difficult challenges for herself, which include making 100 4-foot putts in a row, so when I play in tournaments Ive already been in a competitive game mode, Zhang explained. Still, her early accomplishments have been nothing but stellar. Rose Zhang, who is the top-ranked junior golfer in the world and a student at Irvine's Pacific Academy, signs with Stanford She is a senior at Pacific Academy in Irvine Pacific Academy's Rose. If I had a coach like you, I would give everything I have to fight for victories. The fact that you will drive all the way to The Olympic Club, in San Francisco and back, proves that you are a real champion deserving of all the accolades, titles and trophies that your players win. Coach George has been a critical factor for my daughter, Angie Zhang, in her golf pursuit. I think inside of her, shes got a lot of confidence.. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) "A lot of us want a little more than just golf," said Stanford sophomore Angelina Ye, who finished 15th and walked most of the back nine with Zhang. He has helped her get to a place where she can focus on what she needs to do. Zhang began playing golf at age 9 and now, at 18, is the best amateur player in the world. She started playing golf after her father Henry got golf clubs from a friend. I really love the game of golf, she says. She showed up to the course in jeans and a T-shirt and looked around at the other players wearing more traditional attire. Working with you has been an amazing opportunity. And we spend a lot of time on fundamentals: swing plane, club path and positions at the top, which is very important to get club back on plane. We use TrackMan a lot., This impeccable self-awareness ofthe basics helps Zhang both technically and mentally on the course. Thanks for everything George. His way of teaching golf is very professional, and he is very experienced and nice with good personality. That all changed five years ago when she swung a golf club for the first time. My dad is one of the biggest influences in my life and in my character, said Zhang. Her golf schedule forces her to miss plenty of school time. But her achievements havenot come without routine discipline and a dedicated work ethic, and Zhang has honed in on what her keys are to success. I am definitely extremely grateful and blessed to have him as a coach, mentor, and friend. Zhang arrived at Stanford with a string of amateur accomplishments to her name to match what Woods achieved in the unpaid game. Shes competing in her third Girls Junior PGA Championship an event she won in 2017 and finished as runner-up last year which gets underway Tuesday at Keney Park Golf Course in Hartford, Conn. Its a far cry from where Zhangs competitive golf career began, as a 10-year-old on the Southern California PGA Junior Development Tour. Bront Wittpenn/The Chronicle Zhang has spent the past 104. George has been a critical part of my development as a player both physically and mentally as he has provided me great advice not only in golf but in life as well. He believes so much in his players and loves what he is doing to help junior golfers grow. I was always very into my golf game and didnt really have time to talk to other people. It was my honor to push your scooter at The Open. Shell be three back of the leader and the next thing you know, she finds a way to get something done.. Youre kidding me, Pinnell replied. Zhang has a verbal commitment to golf for Stanford University after high school. George has given me a tremendous amount of help with all parts of the game including the swing, short game and putting as well as the mental part of my game. Before that I looked at schools around California like USC, UCLA and Stanford, said Zhang who has not participated in CIF-Southern Section golf. In 2019, Zhang advanced to the quarterfinals of the U.S. Girls' Junior and helped the USA win a mixed team gold medal in the Pan American Games in Lima, Peru. With the technology and his ability to analyze my swing effectively, my game has really improved greatly in each stage of junior and amateur golf. She and her coach detail the keys to success. And she is the No. And my ability to play under pressure is pretty good. Before nodding off the night before tournaments, Zhang likes to mentally prepare herself by listening to audio recordings of the Bible. Its been 19 years since Lorena Ochoa had what many consider the most dominant single season in womens college golf history. We, and all of those who you touch, owe you a deep, thank you, from the heart. Tiger Woods played two years at Stanford. Personal life [ edit] Zhang was born in Arcadia, California and resides in Irvine, California. That kind of self-awareness is only possible for someone who constantly works within themselves to achieve peak performance. I got to test my game against them, Zhang said, so that was certainly a special experience.. GOLF DIGEST MAY EARN A PORTION OF SALES FROM PRODUCTS THAT ARE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR SITE AS PART OF OUR AFFILIATE PARTNERSHIPS WITH RETAILERS. After the round she went out to the range and started taking slow methodical swings with a 9-iron, going through the fundamentals that shes worked on with Pinnell all these years. 8 in the womens World Amateur Golf Ranking. 1 in Golfstat and also boast the top-ranked amateur and college player in sophomore Rose Zhang.. He is very experienced and is truly an amazing person. . Rose Zhang of the Stanford Cardinal celebrates with teammates after winning the individual national title during the 2023 Division I Women's Golf Championship held at the Grayhawk Golf Club. She was named by American Junior Golf Association as the 2019 Girls Rolex Junior Player of the Year. As a team, Stanford shot an even-par 284 on Monday, the best round of the day by two shots over San Jose State, who sits two strokes back of the Cardinal with 18 holes left to play on Tuesday. Top finishers will win automatic exemptions into the prestigious Golfweek International Junior Invitational Nov 4-5 in Florida. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. To be out there together with him is pretty cool, she said. She jumped in with LPGA Hall of Fame champ Patty Sheehan. Coaches, ADs and staff who do not have current access may request their free account here. Zhang chalked it up to bad course management. Zhang shot a 3-over-75 to cap the national title at Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale, Arizona. Her natural tempo is beautifully smooth and unteachable. 1-ranked amateur womens golfer on Earth. In 2019, Zhang was one of the youngest competitors in theAugusta National Womens Amateur. Working with you has been an amazing opportunity. Shes too busy self-correcting. To have that vibe around the program is a blast Its a special time for Stanford golf.. While Zhang had fun meeting the 22-year-old star, she didnt seem overwhelmed by the experience like other amateurs who Pinnell has introduced to pros in the past. That was a big deal, she says, laughing. Point average. The WORLD AMATEUR GOLF RANKING ranks male and female amateur golfers by assessing performance at thousands of amateur golf tournaments and championships, worldwide. She won the 2020 U.S. Women's Amateur and the 2022 NCAA Division I Championship. He cares about, and checks scores, for every single tournament his players compete in, no matter how big or small the tournament is. Rose Zhang defeated Gabriela Ruffles in 38 holes to claim the title. She cites her putting game as one of her strengths. Coach George has been a critical factor for my daughter, Angie Zhang, in her golf pursuit. He helps me stay driven.. George graciously took her in and then trained her with his life-lessons, his advanced technology equipment, skillful instructions, and star-student- role-model setting. Created in 2014, the ANNIKA Award presented by Stifel is annually given to the top female U.S. collegiate golfer; the winner voted on by players, coaches and members of the college golf media. 6 in Golfweeks girls junior rankings and No. In June 2022, Adidas announced its first name, image, and likeness deal with Zhang, making her the company's first student athlete. Most important, he loves what he does and he is driven by that love. https://golfweek.usatoday.com/2019/07/09/rose-zhang-golf-amateur-us-womens-open-lpga/, Mexico, Caribbean, Atlantic islands, Central America, Top 50 Classic Courses in Great Britain & Ireland, Top 50 Modern Courses in Great Britain & Ireland, No. If I had a coach like you, I would give everything I have to fight for victories. She finished as the runner-up and arrived on a red-eye flight to South Carolina on Tuesday, two days before the major began. we learned a lot from him. Rose Zhang stood several paces to the side as Gabriela Ruffels leaned over her par putt attempt at the 38th hole Sunday afternoon, fully expecting her opponent to sink the four-footer to extend. She said: Woods won two of his first three tournaments in the 1994/95 American college season. In nine college rounds, the Irvine, Calif., native has shot par or better eight times, is a collective 23 under par and has an impressive stroke average of 69.11. Shot 64 to finish 2nd stage Japan Q-school to finish 3rd!!! The last couple days weve seen really nice crowds coming out to watch them play. Stanford, Zhang victorious at Windy City Collegiate. First, she stays in the present. Rose Zhang won the U.S. At the2019 Pan American Games, she was on the winning U.S.mixed-gender teamand placed eighth in theindividual competition. Shes arguably the best American junior golfer to come along in a decade and many wonder how time at Stanford starting later this fall could possibly help her advance. Golfweekrecently caught up with Heather Daly-Donofrio, a former LPGA player and tour executive who leads the program. She doesnt make many mistakes. That was very frustrating since she started golf late and had only been playing for two and half years. We could not thank George enough for devoting some of his time to Angie's interest! As we know, amateur success doesnt guarantee riches in professional golf. No mens or womens player in school history has won her first three starts, and just six womens golfers in program history have won three times in their entire careers. Zhang wins collegiate debut at the Molly Invitational. Zhang enrolled at Pacific Academy to start her seventh-grade year. Statistics are submitted to MaxPreps by coaches, athletic directors or program personnel. Zhang said she watched how LPGA players went about their business at the ANA Inspiration in 2018, a tournament Zhang qualified for when she won the ANA Junior Inspiration tournament as a 14-year-old. An Irvine teen has risen to No. Irvine skater brings home gold for U.S.A. Its just I think sometimes you cant really be too hard on yourself, she said, especially when you are on the greatest stage of amateur golf. She won the 2020 U.S. In 2019, Zhang was one of the youngest competitors in the Augusta National Women's Amateur. What characteristics about Zhang make her stand out from her competition? It's been a great month of golf for me so far thanks to George Pinnell! Zhangs father was on the bag during her low-am run at the 2020 ANA and her U.S. Womens Amateur win. Support our high school sports coverage by becoming a digital subscriber. The Cardinal roster includes the reigning NCAA individual champion and player of the year, Rachel Heck, and first-team All-American Angelina Ye.