Big Red’s Chen has bright future in front of her
Serena Chen handled with poise an interview Monday inside the TPC Jasna Polana banquet room. The Lawrenceville Prep freshman seemed stronger than two years back when gusty winds jostled her on the Mercer Oaks GC practice area.
Chen offered an understandable nervous interview but no longer.
Chen had practiced that blustery day for a trip to Augusta National Golf Club where she competed in the Drive, Chip and Putt contest.
“I had no idea what all that was about and neither did my parents. Reality hit us when we drove down Magnolia Lane,” Chen recalled.
“There were reporters and cameras. Microphones. And interviews.”
Chen, 15, admits a better understanding about herself as a successful student, talented golfer on the Big Red girls varsity team and as a published writer for school newspaper, The Lawrence.
Chen said her life offers myriad choices.
“But nothing comes before school,” she explained. “If golf or writing interfered with learning then I would have to give them up.”
Chen seems distanced from having to make that decision.
In fact, The First Tee of Greater Trenton member added another golf achievement.
Chen, who finished second in the Mercer County Tournament on Thursday, accepted an invitation for The First Tee Par-3 Championship, a 36-hole individual stroke play golf competition at The Kanawha Club in Richmond, Virginia.
The June 21-26 event features boys and girls play in separate divisions with a winner crowned for each.
Plus, Chen will compete for the East Territory team in a Ryder Cup-styled 18-hole event.
It’s another golf experience that continues the evolution of Serena Chen as competitors work on life skills development through off-course interaction.
“I’m just having fun and trying to get a taste of everything in life,” Chen said.