Sophomore golfer Danielle Kang made a name for herself this summer at the 2010 U.S. Women’s Amateur Championship taking home the championship trophy against numerous other amateur golfers.
Kang has participated in this same USGA event for the past three years but this time had the privilege of taking home the prize for the tournament that lasted 10 days in Charlotte N.C.
The win wasn’t a walk in a park though. Kang was ahead throughout the final round but lost her lead towards the end.
“I just needed the frustration to turn the tables around Kang explained. Before I had been cruising along.”
This accomplishment was the culmination of all of Kang’s hard work that began when she was a young girl.
Born in San Francisco but raised in a small town called Oak Park Calif. Kang calls herself an official “California Girl but says she was inspired to begin her golfing career in Korea.
When Kang was younger, she went on vacations to Korea with her father and brother. At the time, she could have cared less about the difference between a putter and a driver.
I used to hate golf Kang said. I despised it.”
During this time her brother decided to learn the game and became fairly good. As talk spread among their friends of her brother’s abilities Kang’s competitive streak took hold. She wanted to give her big brother a run for his money and somewhere along the way her passion to outdo her brother turned into a love for the sport.
Kang came to Pepperdine hoping to realize her potential as a golfer and increase the level of her competition. She has been playing for the past six years and always felt successful due to extensive practice and experience. This attitude helped facilitate her skills creating a marvelous athlete and great future alumna for the Waves.
Kang is clearly an athletically outstanding young woman but she also strives to expand her education to the fullest. She is only 17 years old and already making her way through college looking for a unique experience here at Pepperdine.
While some students look forward to the Greek events and countless opportunities to be involved in on-campus clubs she is hoping to come out ahead in the academic and golfing world.
“Everyone always told me college is like nothing else Kang said. [They said] you need to go experience new things.”
Kang said she loves her new life on campus but hasn’t had much time to take part in the Greek system or other club activities yet. She can’t wait to experience her own exciting college life and hopes life will be just as thrilling after Pepperdine.
As most thriving youth do Kang looks up to her parents for guidance and life advice. She gives credit to her family for her drive and continued success.
“They are the best parents I could ask for Kang said. They have always been extremely supportive.
As for an athletic role model she has always admired Tiger Woods.
“He’s so dedicated to golf Kang explained. When you watch him play it’s different from any other golfer.”
He is the only golfer Kang watches on a regular basis and she hopes to achieve as much focus and accuracy on her own game as Woods has shown throughout his career.
So what is next on the table for Kang considering her already prestigious accomplishments? She wants to continue her education and golfing career at Pepperdine graduate within the next few years and someday step up to the pros.