Woo looks to make mark

Jeff Tully

Even before beginning her senior season next week, Grace Woo has

already become the most successful girls’ golfer in Burbank High

history.

Along with qualifying for CIF Southern Section individual

postseson competition three times, she was also the 2003 Foothill

League co-Player of the Year. She also captured the honor as a

freshman.

Although Woo has enjoyed success at the high-school level, her

biggest accomplishments have come in some of the most prestigious

amateur tournaments in the nation.

She has spent the summer traveling across the U.S. taking part in

tournaments.

Woo played in the 56th annual United States Girls’ Junior

Championship at the Mira Vista Golf Club in Fort Worth, where she

made it to the quarterfinals in the match-play format.

She also placed 11th in the McDonald’s Betsy Rawls Girls’

Championship at White Manor Country Club in Malvern, Pa.

Woo pulled off a fine accomplishment when she finished ahead of

13-year-old phenom Michelle Wei at the 104th U.S. Women’s Amateur

Championship at the par-72 Kahkwa Club in Erie, Pa. Woo shot 73 and

78 for a 151 total to finish tied for ninth. Wei fired 75-78-153 to

finish tied for 11th.

To top off her accomplishments, Woo has signed with UNLV, becoming

the first Bulldog girls’ golfer to earn a NCAA Division I

scholarship.

Locally, Woo has drawn the praise of the high school golf coaches.

“I heard that Grace has been playing very well this summer,”

Burroughs Coach Mike Krose said. “I think Grace and Melanie DeLeon

[from Saugus] should battle it out for the league MVP this year.

DeLeon won the L.A. City Junior Championship.”

Although Jackie Friedman hasn’t seen much of Woo this summer, the

Burbank coach has kept updated on her star player’s accomplishments.

“Grace has had just an awesome summer,” Friedman said. “She should

have a very good senior season.

“I think that now that she has signed to play in college, and she

has that under her belt, she can concentrate more on her senior

season.”

A renewed concentration, along with improved skills and

experience, could spell trouble for Woo’s opponents this season.

With the Indians and Bulldogs set to open their seasons next week,

here is a look at how the teams are shaping up.

BURBANK

With Woo as the anchor, Friedman said she is hoping the Bulldogs

will contend for a Foothill League championship.

Along with a seasoned group of returners, Burbank also has a

promising number of freshmen, some of whom might make an instant

impact.

“I think we really have the chance to be up there in league,”

Friedman said. “With Grace leading us, we should have a good chance.

“We have the girls coming back from last year, and we have some

very good freshmen on our team.”

Burbank has enjoyed an increase in players, going from five in

2003 to 16 this season.

“That means we will be able to field a [junior varsity] team this

year,” Friedman said.

Returning for the Bulldogs are seniors Katie Ahn, Catherine Park

and Michelle Chon.

Freshmen who could make an impact are Bethany Glassford, Amanda

Keith and Jenna Todd.

BURROUGHS

The Indians will be led by three returning seniors -- Danie

Caffey, Jenn Jennings and Kellie Lowers.

“Danie has been playing well, and she should be improved from

last season,” Krose said.

Also returning to help the cause is sophomore Destanie Michaels.

Two freshmen who Krose is excited about are Allie Petroski and

Sydney Dunivant.

“My goals for this team are realistic,” Krose said. “I hope we can

win some matches and improve for league.”

In the league race, Krose said he hopes his team will be able to

contend for one of the three CIF Southern Section postseason spots.

“Saugus should be very good,” Krose said. “Valencia looks like its

young, and Hart should have some talent.

“But Burbank, with Woo, and some of their new golfers like Bethany

Glassford, they should be ok.”