Ever since Jennifer Kim first picked up a golf club five years ago, she's loved how much the sport has taught her about life off the course.
"Golf teaches you about everything: life, morals and values," said Kim, a sophomore at La Cañada High and leader of the Spartans girls' golf team. "I learn how to be a well-rounded person through it."
Kim can feel free to call herself a "well-rounded player." Not only has she played at a high level this year, as well as last season, but she's emerged as a leader of her team as an underclassman.
"Jennifer leads by example," Spartans Coach Rich Wheeler said. "She isn't the most boisterous; it's a calm leadership she brings. She does what's necessary very quietly, and the team follows her example."
An example of continued improvement was established by Kim that the rest of Spartans picked up on. She improved her 18-hole scoring average from 82 in 2009 on the co-ed team to 77.2 this year. With Kim as an example, most of her teammates trimmed their averages by 10 strokes, Wheeler said.