As sophomore Justin Hu steps onto the field, he surveys the flag marking the hole in the distance and visualizes the shot trajectory. Justin clears his mind, not allowing nerves or pressure to disrupt his focus. His metal club slices the air behind him in one fluid motion, propelling the dimpled white ball through the cloudless sky with precise accuracy. The distance does not matter as much as whether he has executed his best effort.

After skiing competitively for five years as a child, Justin pivoted to golf at age nine due to his parents’ concerns about dangers and injuries related to the sport. Although he faced a learning curve transitioning from competitive skiing, Justin carried lessons of focus and perseverance into golf. 

He has since advanced to international tournaments, placing second at the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) Panama Junior Tournament earlier this year and ranking fortieth internationally in AJGA Rolex, the premier ranking system for junior golfers, for the class of 2028. His approach to golf reflects the time and effort he has spent refining his skills.

“Even when whatever you’re doing is difficult, or it takes time and effort, you know there’s always a reason why you’re doing something,” Justin said. “It’s good to stick to what you’re doing and then complete it and do it to the best of your ability and put in your best effort. If you outwork everyone, eventually, if you play to the best of ability, you’ll beat them.”

Maintaining his golf skills demands a busy schedule, which includes practicing up to four hours of golf a day on weekdays and eight hours a day on weekends, on top of strength training at the gym three to four times a week. He often travels several times a month to international tournaments, which has taught him to balance his academic and athletic workloads.

Justin utilizes lunch and office hours to complete homework and tests early so that he can focus on tournaments without needing extensions. By staying on top of both school and golf, he has developed a mindset of preparation and commitment that extends beyond the classroom.

Varsity boys and girls golf coach Ie-Chen Cheng, who has coached Justin since middle school, has watched him grow not only as a golf player but also as a team leader. As one of the younger players, Justin initially stood out for his skill alone, but Cheng noted that he has taken on an increasingly large role in guiding his teammates this year.

“As far as this year, I really tasked him to be a leader,” Cheng said. “He’s shown up and has taken the leadership in, and is trying to make sure, hump everyone up, be a teammate, make sure a little stout in, giving the proper advice before and after matches. No one works harder than Justin. He’s been a really great teammate.” 

Close friend sophomore Andrew Shi, whom Justin met during middle school, emphasized that Justin applies the same dedication and mindset from golf to all areas of his life, including academics. 

“Once, he asked me how I’m gonna do in a math tournament,” Andrew said. “I said, ‘I’m probably not going to win,’ and he was asking, ‘Oh, do you already know the result or something?’ His attitude towards competition is never count yourself out and practice a lot.”

Through the many tournaments he has participated in, Justin believes his greatest growth has been mental rather than purely physical. Experiencing mistakes on the field has taught Justin how to handle obstacles effectively. He explained how staying grounded allowed him to perform at his best no matter the circumstances. 

Cheng emphasized that Justin’s presence on the team inspires confidence in the other team members, helping them stay focused and perform at their best.

“He’s doing a great job, but in the next three years, we can be one of the best teams in California if he chooses to make that commitment,” Cheng said. “His energy and enthusiasm for the team this year have been remarkable. This team won’t go as far as he wants to play for his team.”

While Justin hopes to play golf at a top academic institution in the future, he maintains that his motivation goes beyond just college applications. Instead, he advises aspiring players to prioritize competing against their own limits and breaking the boundaries of what they are able to achieve.

“Don’t forget why you’re playing this sport,” Justin said. “If you’re playing this sport just to get into college or get recruited, it’s not great for your motivation. That’s not real passion, and if that is you, then maybe reconsider why exactly you’re playing. The most important thing is you’re playing for yourself and developing a skill and getting better. Being competitive with yourself is the greatest gift that any skill or sport can give you.”