One of the most successful sports programs at Diamond Bar High School has been girls golf, having won 11 straight league titles, and producing many fine golfers. This year, senior Josephine Chang has stepped into the spotlight, rising in the ranks of top girl golfers in the country.

“Josephine has a great mind for the long haul in golf. She is well balanced in her activities outside of golf, and maintains a very humble spirit. She very much enjoys the social aspect of golf while possessing a fierce competitive attitude,” Will Neel, Chang’s personal coach, said.

Starting at age seven, Chang took an interest in golf after putting  with her father. A few years later, Chang and her family moved to Northern California and met coach  Jim Collins, who saw Chang’s potential.

According to Chang, Collins  helped the rising athlete realize her talent by shaping her swing and constantly providing encouragement for four years until Chang returned to Diamond Bar. The aspiring golfer then went on to play competitively as an 11 year old, but several years would pass before Chang would  sharpen her skills.

This year, Chang has participated and placed in various national competitions, finishing  sixth out of 36 competitors in the National Resource Partners Bluegrass Junior at Ashland, Kentucky, fifth out of 26 in the AJGA Junior at Talbot, Maryland, and fourth out of 26 in the AJGA Junior at Yolo Fliers, Sacramento. One of her greatest achievement is being recognized as one of the 12 members of the AJGA Scholastic Junior All-America Team. In the past year, the senior has averaged three  under par.

Because of Chang’s love for golf, she has sacrificed social life and sleep in order to practice a minimum of two hours every day at the local  course. Right after the fourth period bell rings, Chang grabs a quick bite before heading to the golf course, and after practice, returns home to fulfill her responsibilities as an AP student.

“I have my priorities set straight,” Chang said. “When I started competing, my coach up in Northern California told me that down the line, this choice that I’ve made is going to take a lot of sacrifices, but I have to remember the three most important things in life: family, school, and then golf.”

Chang has verbally committed to the University of Kentucky for  a full-ride scholarship. She said that her goals are to  earn the No. 1 spot on the Kentucky team and, eventually,  pass qualifying school for the LPGA tour, and obtain her pro card.

“[Josephine is] one of the best leaders I’ve ever had in any I’ve ever coached. She’s been tremendous. She takes on a lot of the pressure,” coach Tony McCabe said.