Up-and-Coming Golfers

Golf at the junior level is the most competitive it has ever been, but some Orange County players have emerged among the nation’s elite. Here is a look at who they are and what they have accomplished:

NICO BOLLINI

Birth date: April 17, 1983

School: Servite

Residence: Yorba Linda

Home course: Yorba Linda Country Club

National ranking: 33

Years playing: 11

Career low round: 66

Favorite club: Driver

Favorite golfer: Greg Norman

Career highlights: 5th place 1999 AJGA Scottsdale Junior Classic; 2nd place 1998 Junior World Championship; 5th place 1998 Nabisco Mission Hills Desert Junior.

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CANDIE KUNG

Birth date: August 8, 1981

School: Fountain Valley

Residence: Fountain Valley

Home course: SeaCliff Country Club

National ranking: 1

Years playing: 4 1/2

Career low round: 65

Favorite club: 8-iron

Favorite golfers: Annika Sorenstam, Davis Love III, David Duval

Career highlights: 1998 Golfweek/Titleist girls’ player of the year, 1998 AJGA All-American, 1997 AJGA All-American, runner-up 1997 U.S. Girls Championship, winner 1998 and 1999 AJGA Taylor Made Woodlands Junior Classic, winner 1998 CIF-SCGA girls’ championship.

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ANGELA RHO

Birth date: Nov. 28, 1982

School: Sonora

Residence: Fullerton

Home course: Western Hills Country Club

National ranking: 17

Years playing: 5

Career low round: 66

Favorite club: Putter

Favorite golfers: Helen Alfredsson, Liselotte Neumann, Davis Love III, Fred Couples

Career highlights: 1998 second-team AJGA All-American; Won 1998 AJGA Nabisco Mission Hills Desert Junior; runner-up 1997 AJGA Rolex Junior Classic.

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BRIAN SINAY

Birth date: Aug. 21, 1981

School: University

Residence: Irvine

Home course: Newport Beach Country Club

Current national ranking: 130

Years playing: 11

Career low round: 66

Favorite club: Putter

Favorite golfer: Tom Watson

Career highlights: 1998 SCPGA All-Southern California team; Won 1997 Southern Section championship; Won 1994 Junior World Championship

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RON WON

Birth date: Jan. 14, 1981

School: University

Residence: Irvine

Home course: Strawberry Farms Golf Club

National ranking: 10

Years playing: 7

Career low round: 66

Favorite club: 3-wood

Favorite golfer: Greg Norman

Career highlights: 1998 AJGA third-team All-American; 1998 SCPGA Boys’ Player of the Year; third place 1999 AJGA Taylor Made Woodlands Classic; third place 1998 AJGA Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail Junior Classic.