Sage Hill’s Chen cherishes the game

Rick Devereux

Sage Hill School boys golf coach Eric Gnagy said junior Josh Chen has

not been at peak performance this season.

“This is actually a down year for him,” Gnagy said. “Last year he

was a lot stronger. He hurt his arm, but hopefully he will come on

strong down the stretch.”

A ‘down year’ for Chen is a banner year for most golfers. Chen has

won medalist honors a team-leading nine times, including four

consecutive matches, to be named Daily Pilot Athlete of the Week.

“I guess I have been a little off,” Chen said. “I haven’t really

noticed, though, because I just really enjoy playing golf with my

friends.

Chen has scorched through the competition. He shot a 4-over-par

40, par 35, 4-over-par 40 and 2-over-par 38 for medalist honors in

four straight matches, all in Sage Hill victories.

“He’s definitely our team leader in scoring average,” Gnagy said.

“Josh’s strength is his short game. He can get up and down from just

about anywhere.”

The ability to read how balls will spin and break requires a

specific type of eye, one Chen possesses.

“He’s very imaginative,” Gnagy said. “In golf, you have to get

creative in how you are going to get your ball close to the hole. You

have to read how the greens break and how the ground is set around

the hole. You need a good imagination, and Josh has a good

imagination.”

Chen has been on the varsity team since he was a freshman, and his

ability has apparent from the get-go.

“He didn’t dominate as much as a freshman, but he was still the

best player on the team,” Gnagy said. “He’s had to shoulder that

responsibility of being the best and I think, in a way, it may have

hurt him because there is no one behind him trying to push him.”

But it seems Chen doesn’t need any pushing.

He’s doing just fine.

As a sophomore Chen finished third in the Academy League and

qualified for the CIF Southern Section individual tournament.

He said his goal this year is to make it past the qualifying

round, but individual tournaments aren’t as enjoyable for Chen.

“During the summer, I play in tournaments by myself and just try

to beat my own score,” he said. “It’s more fun when you’re out there

with a team.”

Chen said he plays in two different golf seasons.

“In the summer I play every day,” he said. “But in school,

school’s the top priority and then I get to play golf.”

He said he would like to play golf collegiately and someday tryout

for the PGA. He already has some familiarity with one of the main

courses.

For his 13th birthday, Chen’s father paid for a round at Pebble

Beach.

“I don’t remember what I scored, but I know that course is pretty

hard,” Chen said.

The 16-year-old said one of his goals this summer is to finish in

the top three in an amateur golf tournament, but it won’t be as

enjoyable as playing for Sage Hill.

“I guess I really like playing golf with my friends,” Chen said.