Sports

Preps

Golf: Wharton's star and her dad form a tough team

By KEITH NIEBUHR
Published October 30, 2007

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TAMPA - When Shena Yang turned 7, her father decided it was time to buy her a set of golf clubs. But there was a problem.

He couldn't find any small enough. So he improvised.

"I bought a set and I cut her clubs in the garage," John Yang recalled.

The elder Yang has been shaping his daughter's game ever since. Now a 16-year-old junior at Wharton, Yang is regarded as the county's top player and is believed to be a legitimate contender to win the individual title at the Class 2A state tournament, which begins today at the Club at Eaglebrooke in Lakeland. She was fifth at state last year and enters after having shot a career-best 5-under 67 last week at the region tournament.

"She's the real thing," Wharton coach Maxine Stark said. "I guess if she has a weakness, it might be her putting. But she's very focused. She's on a mission."

Yang makes the shots and sinks the putts, but her father plays an integral role in her development as a player. He's also her coach and confidant. And what's unique is that he doesn't attend her matches.

A native of Korea who moved to the United States 27 years ago and once had a 5 handicap, John Yang is a handyman by trade who now fixes up houses. As he put it, "I have to make payments," which is why he doesn't watch Shena play in person during the high school season.

Thus far, that hasn't been a problem. They've simply worked around it.

After matches, Shena meets with her father to discuss her round, shot for shot.

John Yang keeps detailed written notes, critiques his daughter's play and offers suggestions. For the most part, Shena listens and follows his instructions. When she doesn't, she gets an earful.

"They are," Shena Yang said, "detailed conversations."

It's hard to argue with Team Yang's methods.

Yang has been around or under par nearly every round this fall. In one nine-hole match, she carded 4-under 32.

Then came regionals.

On a Heritage Isles course that yielded few scores under 80, Yang went low. Her 67 included five birdies, all coming during a stretch of nine holes. She failed to make a bogey.

"I worked really hard for this, and it paid off," Yang said. "I hope I can go (lower) at state."

At this point, few would be surprised if she did.

[Last modified October 30, 2007, 00:08:18]