According to Webster’s dictionary, a team is a number of persons associated together in work or activity. However, if it only consists of one person, is it still considered a team?
Alan Cho (’11) is the sole member of the golf team.
The golf team has always had a running reputation of having the smallest number of members in the athletic department. When Cho initially joined two years ago, there were five players but the numbers dwindled until he was the only player left.
Cho started to play golf when he was three years old with his father, who played the sport as a hobby.
“I wanted my son to learn golf as a young boy,” father Hansik Cho said. “It was a way for us to bond.”
As Cho grew up, he took lessons and joined numerous tournaments across Southern California.
Cho enjoys the serene environment because it makes him calm even in the midst of the intensity during games. This sport deals not only with the physical side of an athlete but also the mental side.
“Playing golf makes me think and requires me to strategize my play because it’s not just about hitting a ball,” Cho said.
Cho has placed second in the first game in the Pacific League, 18th for the game on April 14 and tied for 4th place on April 21.
Cho believes that golf is the epitome of “practice makes perfect.”
He enjoys practices because he can focus more on himself though he believes that having a partner would be beneficial as they could exchange constructive criticism.
“Being the only member of the team compels me to practice more because I am the only representative,” Cho said.
Unfortunately, Cho “pities” the decline of interest people have for golf.
He believes that though the games may be long, they keep you on your toes because no one never knows what is going to happen after each hit of the ball.
“You really need to focus on where you want the ball to go in a game like golf,” he said. “One miscalculation and the ball can go to the other direction.”
Cho believes that in order to be successful this season, he has to figure out his game plan and improve physically and mentally through his daily rigorous practices.
Golf coach Vigen Jilizian hopes Cho can qualify for California Interscholastic Federation individual play by finishing in the top six.
Jilizian believes that Cho is very dedicated and passionate about golf and will improve due to his practices.
“His determination will bring him success anywhere in life.” friend Kevin Shim (’11) said.
