Ruihan Kendria Wang
Bellevue
,
WA
Age: 12 - 13
Gender: Girls
Region: Northwest
The Path to the National Finals
Qualifying Path
Should a player advance through local qualifying, the subregional and regional qualifying sites are pre-determined based upon the local qualifying site. The player is not guaranteed participation in the subregional qualifier unless he/she advances through local qualifying. The player is not guaranteed participation in the regional qualifier unless he/she advances through local and subregional qualifying.
PLAYER BIRTHPLACE:
Shanghai, People's Republic of China
NAME AND LOCATION OF SCHOOL:
The Overlake School/Redmond, Washington
GRADE IN SCHOOL:
8th grade
HOME GOLF COURSE AND LOCATION:
Fairwood Golf and Country Club/Renton, Washington
PLAY GOLF RIGHT OR LEFT HANDED:
Right handed
AGE STARTED PLAYING GOLF:
7 years old
LOWEST SCORE SHOT (9 AND/OR 18 HOLES):
68 (18 holes)
HANDICAP INDEX:
2.5
HOW DID YOU BECOME INTERESTED IN GOLF?
I first was introduced through a summer camp, which had tennis in the morning and golf in the afternoon. My mom plays tennis, and she wanted me to play also, which is why she signed me up. However, I quickly realized that I would prefer golf over tennis, and I started taking lessons soon after that.
WHO INTRODUCED YOU TO GOLF?
My mom. She always encourages me to try a variety of things to make sure that I don't reject anything if I haven't tried it. It was the same with golf; I just fell in love with it.
WHO DO YOU NORMALLY PLAY GOLF WITH?
I usually practice alone, but I'll play with my friends from time to time.
WHO IS YOUR GOLF INSTRUCTOR?
Peter Murphy; I've been working with him for over two years now, and I owe a lot to him. He is the best!
WHAT DO YOU LIKE MOST ABOUT PLAYING GOLF?
I love that it's so complicated, like you can never really, truly master it. You need to always keep working at it.
WHAT PART OF GOLF DO YOU LIKE TO PRACTICE THE MOST?
I love to practice short game, mostly because that it's the most critical part of golf , but also because I can practice a lot of it before I get too tired.
WHAT’S THE MOST DIFFICULT THING ABOUT GOLF?
I think most difficult thing is having to remind yourself that the only person you have to beat is yourself. That, and keeping your emotions in check.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE CLUB?
Driver!
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GOLF COURSE IN THE WORLD?
Palouse Ridge Golf Club (Pullman, WA), and The Club at Flying Horse (Colorado Springs, CO)
WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST ACHIEVEMENT IN GOLF SO FAR?
Once getting my longest driving distance of 332 yards with the club speed at 112 mph!
HAVE YOU EVER PARTICIPATED IN A USGA OR PGA OF AMERICA EVENT? IF SO, WHICH ONE(S), WHEN, AND HOW DID YOU DO?
I've participated in a variety of USGA qualifiers, and my best finish was sixth.
DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN PGA JUNIOR LEAGUE?
I used to.
DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN LPGA*USGA GIRLS GOLF?
A little bit.
DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN FIRST TEE?
I used to for two years.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT PARTICIPATING IN DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT?
I really love that you only have a couple of chances, and if you want to do well, you have to make those chances count.
MEMORABLE MOMENTS FROM YOUR LOCAL, SUBREGIONAL OR REGIONAL QUALIFIERS:
Making my second chip at regionals, and also hitting all three of my drives in bounds.
HAVE YOU TRIED TO QUALIFY FOR DRIVE, CHIP AND PUTT IN THE PAST? IF SO, PLEASE LIST EACH YEAR AND YOUR PREVIOUS RESULTS:
2018: Didn't make it past local. 2019: Made it to the subregional qualifier, but couldn't go. 2021: Made it to the subregional qualifier.
LIST FROM STRONGEST TO WEAKEST – DRIVING, CHIPPING, PUTTING:
Driving, Chipping, Putting
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TO THE MASTERS BEFORE? IF SO, WHEN?
No
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MASTERS MEMORY? U.S. OPEN OR U.S. WOMEN’S OPEN MEMORY? PGA CHAMPIONSHIP OR WOMEN’S PGA CHAMPIONSHIP MEMORY?
At the Masters: when Rory McIlroy came back on the last day last year, shooting a -7 to finish second.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY WATCHING GOLF ON TV?
Getting excited with my family at dinner, since we always watch golf at dinner.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE MALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
Rory McIlroy, because he always makes the greatest comebacks.
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE FEMALE GOLFER, AND WHY?
Me, because in order to succeed, you need to first believe in yourself.
WHO IS THE COOLEST PLAYER IN GOLF, AND WHY?
Everyone, because everybody does something different that makes them cool.
IF YOU COULD CHOOSE TO PLAY GOLF WITH A DREAM FOURSOME, WHO WOULD THE OTHER THREE PEOPLE BE?
Rory McIlroy, my coach, and my mom
DO YOU HAVE ANY SUPERSTITIONS AS IT RELATES TO GOLF? IF SO, PLEASE DESCRIBE:
Not really, but I really like to wear all black.
WHAT FOOD WOULD YOU SERVE AT YOUR CHAMPIONS DINNER AT AUGUSTA NATIONAL?
Ramen noodles and sushi
FAVORITE SCHOOL SUBJECT:
Stagecraft (Theater backstage management)
FAVORITE SCHOOL TEACHER:
Krummy, my science teacher and fellow avid golf player
FAVORITE SPORT (OTHER THAN GOLF):
Horse riding and trap/skeet shooting
FAVORITE MOVIE:
The Short Game
FAVORITE SINGER / MUSIC GROUP:
Melanie Martinez
FAVORITE TV SHOW:
The Great British Baking Off
DESCRIBE ANY TALENTS OR INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF GOLF:
I horse ride and trap shoot. I've been riding for more than half my life, and my former golf coach, now friend, introduced me to trap shooting.
DESCRIBE ANY OBSTACLES YOU’VE OVERCOME IN YOUR LIFE:
Learning through many tournaments that it's okay if you're having a bad day; you just need to stay calm and everything will be okay. Crying and punching things won't help make your score better.
HERO / ROLE MODEL(S):
My mom
WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER RECEIVED?
"The most important shot is the next one."
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GROW UP?
Probably a veterinarian, or something involving horses, because I love animals so much.
DESCRIBE YOURSELF:
An introvert with a busy life who slowly warms up to people as she gets to know them better.
