Oct. 15--Jessica Yuen knows history is at stake at this weekend's Class AA girls golf state tournament.
The steely Neuqua Valley senior will try to become the event's first three-time champion Friday and Saturday at Hickory Point Golf Club in Forsyth. She already knows that she will feel a new weight that she wasn't burdened with in her previous state appearances.
"There's definitely more pressure on me this time around," said Yuen, one of 11 girls to win two state titles. "I'm focused on just staying in the moment and going out there and enjoying myself."
That down-to-earth mentality, combined with a game that has continually become more polished, has already resulted in a long list of accomplishments.
The Missouri recruit made a splash as a freshman at state, finishing second by one stroke with an even-par 72 in 2012 when the meet was shortened to one round by rain. Yuen claimed her first state title in 2013, winning by four strokes, and followed that with a two-stroke triumph last fall. Both victories were accomplished by shooting 2-under 142.
"When I look back to when I was a freshman, I didn't know what to expect at the state meet," said Yuen, who began golfing when she was 6. "Since then, I'm a totally different player. I've gained a lot of distance on my drives, especially this year. That's helped me a ton."
Neuqua Valley coach John Keller has witnessed Yuen's maturation. He marvels at her course management skills and has seen Yuen tighten a short game that earlier in her career occasionally didn't match those of other elite players.
"She doesn't get herself into trouble very often, and her mental outlook is outstanding," Keller said. "She's unflappable. She very rarely gets rattled, which is a real gift on a golf course."
That composure was on display at Monday's Neuqua Valley Sectional when she lipped out a short par putt on the sixth green, leaving a tap-in for bogey. That stroke inexplicably popped out after hitting the bottom of the cup, leaving her with a hard-luck double-bogey that could have derailed her.
Yuen's response to the once-in-a-lifetime quirk? A blistering 4-under 32 on the back nine that propelled her into a one-hole playoff, which was won by Benet freshman Lauren Beaudreau.
"I had never seen that happen before, so I was kind of shocked," Yuen said. "But at the turn, I told myself to not worry about it and to start making some birdies. After that, everything else fell together."
History says that Yuen's runner-up finish Monday won't impact her quest for a three-peat. She won her only sectional title as a freshman, finishing second in 2013 and third last year.
"This could be one of the biggest moments of my life," Yuen said. "But I've just got to stay in the present. Win or lose, I'm still very happy about how my high-school career has gone. It's going to be important to have fun and not worry about making history."
Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter for the Chicago Tribune.
Class AA girls golf state tournament
When: Friday-Saturday.
Where: Hickory Point Golf Club, Forsyth.
Defending champion: Hinsdale Central.
Defending medalist: Jessica Yuen, Neuqua Valley sr. (also won in 2013).
Others to watch: Madasyn Pettersen, Rockford Guilford so. (finished fourth in 2014); Roshannah Gaur, Hinsdale Central so. (T-8th); Reena Sulkar, Barrington jr. (T-8th); Blake Yaccino, Loyola sr. (T-8th); Lauren Beaudreau, Benet fr.; Penelope Tir, New Trier fr.; Megan Furtney, St. Charles North fr.
Class A tournament: At Red Tail Run Golf Course, Decatur. Defending team champion: Belleville Althoff. Defending medalist: Lauren Chappell, Charleston jr. (also won in 2013).
