Diamond Bar High School sophomore Bethany Wu was recently featured in the national magazine Sports Illustrated. Wu was recognized for winning the golf tournament at the Annika Invitational at Reunion Resort in Orlando, Florida, while DBHS senior Debbie Pan’s photo of Wu was inserted next to the article.
Wu was introduced along with six other high school students in the “Faces in the Crowd” article in the February 4th issue of Sports Illustrated for her astonishing plays during golf events. Wu received recognition due to her performance at the Annika Invitational where she won the tournament by shooting ten strokes under the 216 par, beating the second place winner by three strokes in the 54-hole course.
“I was nervous during the tournament but tried to make the day go faster by talking to other players. I was truly happy that I won and was surprised that Sports Illustrated featured me in one of its issues,” Wu stated.
In the article, Wu is also noted for being the first golfer in event history to be over par by double digits.
Currently, she is ranked third among junior girls in the American Junior Golf Association. Wu was named San Gabriel Valley Tribune Player of the Year after winning the Annika Invitational at Reunion Resort in Orlando, Florida.
In addition, Debbie Pan, Class of 2013’s historian, was asked to take the headshot of Wu that was used in the article.
“Mrs. Clifford told me that I had a very important opportunity to be featured in ‘Sports Illustrated.’ I basically took headshots of Bethany and sent it out to ‘Sports Illustrated.’ I was really excited to be published in a major magazine,” Pan stated.
In late March, Wu will compete in the Winn Grips Heather Farr Classic at the Longbow Golf Club.
“I really enjoy golf. My life basically revolves around it. In the future, I want to succeed in my dream to become a professional golfer, but I do want to finish my education first,” Wu stated.
