“Golf is a compromise between what your ego wants you to do, what experience tells you to do, and what your nerves let you do.” – Bruce Crampton

Outgoing. Team player. Smiley. These are words that describe Chino Hills resident, Kylie Lau, an 18-year-old biochemistry freshman.

Lau has a supportive family by her side throughout her college journey. Her parents, Juni, 46, and Youdy, 47, are often busy owning and managing an Indonesian restaurant in Temple City: her younger siblings Kyra, 14 and Kenneth, 9. Lau also has two pet bunnies named Bailey and Bentaly.

“I look up to my mom the most in life because she still works and takes care of three kids,” Lau said. “My family is very chaotic and she keeps the family balanced,”

When asked how she got involved in golf she explained, “My dad played golf first and inspired me to play.”

Golf is like a strict teacher—it demands patience, precision, and perseverance. Unlike some sports where adrenaline fuels the game, golf requires a calm and focused mind. Every swing, every putt is a calculated move. It’s not about overpowering your opponent; it’s about mastering your strengths and weaknesses while simultaneously navigating the course.

The discipline in golf lies in the details—aligning your body, controlling your swing, and maintaining composure after a lousy shot. It’s a game of personal responsibility, where success or failure rests squarely on your shoulders. A burden few accept let alone thrive in.

Lau has been playing golf for almost 11 years. She explained how she has learned a lot throughout her golfing career. “Focus on things you want to do rather than what you don’t want to do,” she said while explaining how her old swing coach has given her the best golfing advice she has received.

Sometimes, all it takes is good coaching to unlock an athlete’s potential.

“This wasn’t the only time I have won a medal in my golfing career, but this one was special and means a lot,” Lau said about her third-place win at State.

Lau mentioned that the inside golfing simulator that the team went to multiple times throughout the season gave them the best practice that helped them the most this season.

According to Lau, when the Mt. SAC team doesn’t have a tournament or match to compete in, they either practice on the El Prado golf course or on the putting green on campus. She explained how they would typically have two, four to five-hour practices a week.

Even when Lau isn’t practicing golf, she stays connected to the game and mentors and coaches little kids golf every Friday and Sunday. She also has a second job at a dumpling bar that she typically works at twice a week.

Lau finds a lot of value in her friendships and great teammates. “In my free time I like to call people and spend time with friends,” she said.

The camaraderie among the Mt. SAC team is remarkable considering four out of five players were teammates previously and graduated at Walnut High. This shared background nurtured a special and unique bond among them.

According to Lau, the team tries to go out to eat after every practice and game. She shared insights into their tight-knit dynamics, emphasizing the team’s tradition of going out to eat after each practice and game. “We got back from state really late, but we still celebrated our win by going out to get food,” she said. Even after a late return from the state competition, they made sure to celebrate their victory together.

Lau looks up to her teammates and is grateful for all the support that circulates the team. She especially mentioned her two teammates Kayla Loera and Alana Lo in high regard. “Alana is just a big motivator and Kayla is like the team captain and she just lifts everyone’s spirits by being there,” Lau said. She expresses gratitude for the support circulating within the team headed by the two of them.

She expressed her sadness when discussing some sophomores transfers after this school year. Despite the impending departure of some sophomores after the school year, Lau remains content with her decision to join Mt. SAC. She treasures the friendships she has built and plans to strengthen these bonds beyond the confines of the golf season.

Looking ahead to the next golf season, Lau is filled with excitement and recognizes there is always room for improvement.