Girls golf: Lee marshalls impressive start at Buffalo Grove

Haeri Lee finished her sophomore season with a stellar finish in the Class AA girls golf state tournament in Decatur.

She placed 12th among the 100-plus contestants, shooting a score of 155 (79-76) for her 36 holes.

Following a terrific summer win in which she earned first place in the Player of the Year Championships at Highland in Elgin, Lee sure isn't lacking for confidence beginning her junior season.

It showed right from the start when she shot a par 71 at Bonnie Dundee on the first day of the season to take third place in the Barrington Invite.

"I'm definitely more confident," Lee said. "I've been able to set pretty good goals this year and would like to place among the top five in state."

Lee's place on the golf course started unfolding when she was 11 years old.

She had already been involved in taekwondo since arriving in the United States from South Korea when she was a small child.

She's taken instruction in the sport for many years at the White Tiger Martial Arts Center in Wheeling.

"My dad (Shik) introduced me to golf when I was 11 years old," she said. "It was like his hobby. We thought it was a good sport and I started competitively at it right away.

"I didn't love it right away but I liked going out on the course and playing recreationally. But I began loving it more as I matured."

Today, she is one of the top players in the state and has designs on playing in college.

"I definitely want to play in college - I'd like to play Division I," said Lee, an honor roll student who would like to study biology.

Lee attended the UL International Women's Crown in July at the Merit Club in Gurnee when the United States team of Lexi Thompson, Stacy Lewis, Gerina Piller and Cristie Kerr took top honors.

"It was amazing," she said. "They are so consistent. And I want to be that kind of golfer. Even when they hit an off shot, they come right back at it like nothing happened."

Lydia Ko happens to be Lee's favorite golfer.

The Korean-born New Zealand pro became the No. 1 ranked women in February of 2015 at the age of 17.

"I look up to her," Lee said. "I love the way she plays, so consistent and calm."

Those who watch Lee can see a similar approach.

"Her demeanor demonstrates a mental maturity that can separate her from many of her competitors," said Buffalo Grove girls golf coach Matt Myers. "She handles adversity with ease and is also able to manage a great deal of success as well."

In last year's state finals, Lee had a stretch of nine holes where she played 2-under par in difficult conditions.

"As usual, she carried herself with poise," Myers said. "She has also started to display more leadership as a junior in the program. While she isn't as boisterous as some of our other golfers, Haeri's quiet confidence has rubbed off on others."

Lee says the high school season is definitely different from the summer tournament play.'

"It's (high school golf) more lively, and spirited," she said. "It's all just individual in the summer. Now I can rely on my teammates."

And vice versa.

"Haeri has really bonded with our golfers in the team game and has become more vocal this past year in helping many of our younger golfers," Myers said. "She is a true leader by example. We are looking forward to what this year brings."

Lee has brought a longer drive this season, stretching it from about a 200-yard average to about 230.

Perhaps the taekwondo has helped?

"That definitely makes me stronger," Lee said "It's just a good side workout for me."

Things worked out well this summer.

"Everything started to come together and I was playing solid rounds," she did. "I'm really excited now for this whole season.

" I love putting. I look at it as a game of its own. It just intrigues me."

With almost two full high school seasons left, it is intriguing to think about Lee's future.

"We are eager to see where she goes next," Myers said. "Haeri is one of the nicest kids you could meet on the course."

And one of the most talented.