Siyan Chen
Verbally
Commits
to Illinois
Siyan Chen, a junior at Bishops Gate Golf Academy, has
verbally committed to play golf for the University of
Illinois women’s golf team.
Chen, from Hangzhou, China, is not a stranger to
success. Since coming to BGGA she’s flourished on
the junior golf tours, accumulating 14 wins, including
the 2016 Scott Robertson Memorial, the 2016 and 2017
FJT Tour Championship and the 2018 Sea Pines Junior
Heritage Championship.
“I think all areas of my game have improved, but the
most improved part is my short game,” said
Chen. “When I first came to BGGA I shot
in the 80s and now my scoring average
is 73. I now play consistently in
tournaments.”
At the end of the 2016-17
academic year, Chen was
named BGGA’s Female Player
of the Year. After that, Chen
qualified to play in the U.S.
Women’s Amateur and the U.S.
Girls Junior.
“
“Golf teaches me a lot,” said Chen. “You need to stay
calm and focused for four or five hours during a round.
I have learned how to deal with and come back from
bad shots and situations. And I can make many new
friends!”
Chen dreams of playing on the LPGA Tour and
becoming No. 1 in the world, but before that stage in
her life she wants to play college golf with the goal
of taking her team to the NCAA Championship and
winning the individual title.
“Illinois gave me a full scholarship,” said Chen. “They
have a really strong men’s team, so I think the women’s
team can be good too.”
Illinois’ women’s golf team is ranked No. 26 in
the college rankings and led by head coach
Renee Slone, who is in her 12th season.
When I first
came to BGGA I shot
in the 80s and now my
scoring average is 73.
I now play consistently
in tournaments.
Chen, 16, started playing golf with
her father at the age of six but didn’t
start taking it seriously until she was 10
years old and met some friends who also
played golf.
Chen feels she’ll be more prepared for
college golf life after living at BGGA.
“What we do at BGGA is pretty similar
to the college environment,” said
Chen. “I’ve learned how to play good
golf and still keep my grades up. BGGA
has prepared me well for college.”
Chen is finishing her third year at BGGA
and will sign her national letter of intent in
November 2018.