Soph David Chung writes about his experience on the Farm

Stanford never ceases to amaze me.  Our most recent golf team fundraiser was named "Shultz Cup."  Yes, after the former Secretary of State, George Shultz.  Not only was the event hosted by Mr. Shultz, but its guest list included our very own former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and many notable businessmen from around Palo Alto and Silicon Valley areas.   I could feel success permeating through the air that day.   The people I meet at Stanford inspire me to strive for excellence in all that I do.

I was told that sophomore year is the toughest academic year at Stanford and believe me, it is true!  Juggling intensive school work, morning workouts and golf practices is turning me into a productive and organized person.  If there is one lesson I've learned, it’s the importance of multitasking.  Despite the work, I wouldn't trade my experience at the Farm with anything else!

After winning our last fall event and our first spring start, our team ran into some rough patches.  Our 7th place finish at the US Intercollegiate event, which we hosted at the Farm last week, was especially painful. It made us appreciate earlier wins, but at the same time, it made us realize how much it burns to lose.  As the old saying goes, you learn wisdom from failure much more than from success.  We have put in the hard work and have upped the intensity in our workouts and in practice.  

As the postseason is upon us, we are ready to push each other as a team.  Yesterday, at our Annual Stanford Alumni vs. Varsity Challenge Match,  all 10 of us played and our best five scores were 65, 66, 66, 67, 67, not so bad for a team in a “slump.”  On the immediate horizon for the team is the Pac-10 Championship which starts five days from now (April 26-28). It is at ASU’s Karsten Course in Tempe, a venue that held the ASU Thunderbird Invitational that our team competed in two weeks ago.  It is a Pete Dye course that puts a premium on accurate iron shots and good putting.  The course suits our game and we are ready.  As coach has repeatedly reminded us, we have yet to play our best golf this season.  Maybe that will happen next week...

Go Card!

David Chung ('12)