STUDENT-ATHLETE ACCOLADES
top-three finishes at the 2018 Ollie Schniederjans
Junior Classic, 2017 Callaway Golf Junior Classic
and 2017 Doral-Publix Junior Classic. She also
earned the individual title at the prestigious Scott
Robertson Memorial Tournament in 2016.
As a five-time Florida Junior Tour Championship
winner (2016-2017), Chen has also found success
in the Sunshine State. She was the 2016 Florida
State Girls Junior Champion in the Girls 13-15
division and won the 2016 Florida State Girls
Junior Match Play
Championship. In
nearby Hilton Head
Island, S.C., Chen
won against some of
the country’s finest
junior golfers at
the 2018 Sea Pines
Junior Heritage Golf
Tournament.
“I choose Illinois not
only for the really
strong academic and
golf programs, but for
the nice and friendly
people,” said Chen. “I
could feel the coaches care about everyone more
than just as a player, but as a family member.
The weather challenge in Illinois will be a good
experience for me. I believe Illinois will be the
school to prepare me well for my future career.”
In the classroom, Chen has maintained an
impressive 4.17 GPA, while making the honor
roll for all three years of high school. The signee
is also a three-time Citizenship Award honoree
and has earned Geometry and Calculus honors
in 2015-16 and 2017-18, respectively. The
Chinese native also enjoys giving back to the local
community. During her sophomore and junior
year, she taught disabled students at Lake Hills
School, while also serving the homeless at a local
soup kitchen in 10th grade.
academically,” noted Slone. “She places a high
priority on both academics and athletics. We look
forward to aiding her in her continued growth and
development throughout her collegiate journey.”
On the improvement in her game over the years,
Chen said, “I think all areas of my game have
improved, but the most improved part is my
short game. When I first came to BGGA I shot in
the 80s and now my scoring average is 73. I now
play consistently in
tournaments.”
“The sky is the limit
for Anna,” said BGGA
Senior Coach Manuel
Bermudez. “It’s going
be great to watch her
become one of the
best players in the
country over the next
few years. She has the
desire and talent.”
“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.
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.”
“Siyan (Chen) is not only a very accomplished
player, but she is also highly talented
THE GATE | DECEMBER 2018
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