PINOY PRIDE: CUT OUT OR TRAINED TO WIN?

What qualifies one to be a champion in any field?

Introducing Calista Reyes―Chloe to family and friends. This five-foot 15-year old freshman at Rancho Bernardo High is currently the toast of the San Diego (California) Filipino community and the US golfing community as well.

Based on her current golfing trajectory, the Junior Golf Scoreboard has ranked her 9^th nationally (US) and 2^nd for California's graduating class 2018.

Michael Bower, writing for Pomerado News, described her as "low-key, quiet and reserved—but inside she is booming with confidence… has relentless passion to win." Bower quotes Tim Steigerwald, the Broncos' head coach who's credited with 199 career victories in 12 years:

“You wouldn’t peg her as a top golfer in the county by looking at her. What most people don’t see is her consistency off the tee, her ability to keep the ball in play and out of trouble, and her short game. Some say golf, when played at a high level, is 90 per cent between the ears,” he added. “Her 90 per cent is better than most.”

Chloe was named the 2014 San Diego Junior Golf Association Player of the year (13/14 division). “Since I have been playing a lot of big tournaments against all of those girls (on Torrey Pines) and other top players, I feel like I play good under pressure,” she said.

Chloe is my niece Cheryl's only child; one of my sister Marcia's seven grandkids, all equally gifted in their own right.

I asked Chloe why she's such a winner. "I'm hard-working, confident and happy," she replied with a smile―without a tinge of pride, just the voice of innocence, one at home with winning and excelling. Here's a 15 year old girl quite focused and determined, raised by parents Cheryl and Arnold who encouraged her to explore her gifts, while seeing to it that she leads a balanced teen-life.

Mom Cheryl: "… the reason she excels is because she has the passion for what she does, backed by her willingness and discipline to practice hard. She does not complain… loves to compete and her mind is set that she can do it."

Off-course and school, Chloe is a typical teenager who loves to sing, read, draw, watch movies and musicals and dabble with Instagram. During her grandparents' 50th recent wedding anniversary, she sang "Kahit Maputi na Ang Buhok Ko".  

I remember her as a bright-eyed four year old who genuinely loved to read books and regale us with her invented songs and stage presentations with her younger cousin Alee.

Faithfulness is second nature to Chloe who has maintained a 4.0 GPA in school. This, as well as her golfing feats, have courted the interest of universities which have invited her to their degree programs.

Matthew 25:21―His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'

Our talents or possessions are gifts from God, to be used for His glory―lesson we can learn from Chloe.

Photo credits: 

http://media.utsandiego.com/

http://sandiegogolfreport.com/