Golf Game of University’s Won Speaks for Itself

Angela Won played on the University High golf team for nearly three weeks before Coach Patti Anduri discovered they had something in common.

“I didn’t think she spoke English,” Anduri said. “She was very shy, but then one day she came up to me and just started talking and talking and I thought ‘Well, she speaks English just fine.’ ”

Won, a freshman who moved from South Korea to Irvine three years ago and didn’t fully learn English for two years, preferred to let her game do the talking.

It spoke loud enough to have her honored as the Times Orange County girls’ golfer of the year.

Won posted a nine-hole scoring average of 38.5, won the Pacific Coast League individual title and helped the Trojans to the league team title.

Her 79 in the Southern Section team championships at Sandpiper Golf Course in Santa Barbara was one of only three scores in the 70s and helped the Trojans win the first Southern Section girls’ golf title.

A 78 in the section individual championships at Mission Lakes Country Club in Desert Hot Springs was good enough to tie for 11th place overall and was one of only three scores from the county below 80. She advanced to the CIF-SCGA championship next June.

Won takes golf seriously, usually heading directly to Laguna Hills Golf Range after school to practice with professional Mike Cotton until well after dark. Her seemingly effortless swing, delicate short game and smooth putting stroke are a result.

“Every time I had a big tournament we worked on something,” Won said. “Before the CIF and league tournament we worked every day.”

It could be argued that Won made only one golf-related mistake all season.

About half an hour before her first high school golf match, Won casually strolled toward the driving range intent on warming up when a stunned Anduri stopped her.

Anduri’s jaw dropped at the sight of her star freshman clad in overalls, a T-shirt and tennis shoes.

“I told her ‘You can’t tee off in overalls,’ ” Anduri said.

Anduri drove Won home, which fortunately was only three minutes away, and Won changed into proper golf attire.

“I was embarrassed,” Won said. “I thought I had my pants in my bag but I didn’t.”