After being introduced to the sport by a good friend, Kate Hu (10) found her passion for golf when she was 6 years old. Her junior golf scoreboard is currently ranked No. 55 in the nation and No. 13 in her class for the American Junior Amateur event.
“I found out that I really enjoyed the sport,” Hu said. “I started playing golf because I immediately fell in love with the game and realized that I had a strong passion for it. I was drawn in by the constant challenge of improving my skills.”
Hu mainly competes in Rolex American Junior Golf Association events. Some of her most recent achievements include winning the AJGA Dallas Junior All-Star, the AJGA HMG Junior Championship, the SCGA Junior Amateur and qualifying for the U.S. Women’s Amateur and the U.S. Women’s Amateur Four-Ball.
“What I love most about golf is its opportunity for constant improvement, as players can always practice to lower their scores,” Hu said. “It’s a sport where I can constantly challenge myself, but also enjoy being outside. Golf also allows me to travel to play different courses and compete against the top players in the country. It has helped me develop patience, focus, persistence and resilience, which are skills that are important in every part of life.”
Her dedication and passion for golf not only help develop practical skills, but also motivate her to achieve significant milestones in her golf journey.
“My greatest achievements so far would probably be qualifying for the U.S. Women’s Amateur and being a two-time AJGA champion,” Hu said.
These accomplishments have inspired her and helped define her future goals in the sport. Hu believes that her journey through golf is not just about victories, but also about the experiences and lessons gained along the way.
“Looking ahead, my goal is to play at a Division I college and play professionally,” Hu said. “Golf is something I plan to carry through college and into my adult life. Whether it’s playing competitively, or just enjoying the game recreationally, it’s difficult to imagine it not being a part of my life.”
Achieving high-level goals in sports requires not only skill, but also a strong mental approach, as it often tests a player’s patience. To reach these goals, Hu recognizes the importance of mental resilience in the sport.
“One of the biggest challenges in golf is staying calm and patient after a bad shot or tough hole,” Hu said. “Golf is very mentally taxing, and it’s important to focus on the present rather than worry about past and future shots and end results.”
In addition to mental hurdles, Hu faces other practical challenges as well. Many high-level or professional athletes are homeschooled, but Hu attends school regularly, meaning she has to manage her time effectively to balance school with her rigorous training schedule.
“Another challenge in golf would be balancing it with academics,” Hu said. “I usually practice four to six hours after school every day and have only a couple hours to finish my homework, so it requires good time management skills.”
Hu’s dedication has not gone unnoticed, as she has acquired several sponsors, including Titleist, FootJoy and Adidas.
“These partnerships have been really supportive in providing me gear, clubs, clothes and shoes,” Hu said.
Having the right equipment is not the only factor contributing to her success. Being a part of a supportive team environment has also contributed to her success as an athlete.
“I’m proud to be a part of the TPHS Cardinal team,” Hu said. “Playing for the team has been an incredible and fun experience, and the coaches and my teammates are very supportive. We’ve had a lot of great moments as a team, and last year our team was the runner-up at the CIF State Championship.”
