For Cheung, golf was love at first sight

The first time freshman Tiffany Cheung played a full round of golf was at her high school golf team's tryouts.

The native of Palos Verdes Peninsula, Calif., found an old set of golf clubs in her garage and spent the summer prior to her freshman year of high school hitting golf balls with her younger brother.

"After that I fell in love with the game," Cheung said.

After spending two years on her high school squad, Cheung attended a seven-week summer program at the David Leadbetter Golf Academy in Bradenton, Fla., from which many graduates have entered professional golf. Cheung's coach saw her potential as a golfer and strongly suggested she enroll for the academic year.

So she did. Cheung submitted to a lifestyle entirely centered around golf. For two years she woke up at 6 a.m. for workouts, attended school from 7 a.m. to about 1 p.m. and then hit the golf course until 6 p.m.

Both Cheung and women's golf coach Mark Anderson agree that through this program, she gained an advantage over her competitors.

"We would go out when it was pouring rain, when it was 110 degrees with high humidity," Cheung said. "I think it gives me an edge with the endurance factor."

Anderson has been a huge supporter for Cheung as she transitioned into the world of collegiate golf. He says the biggest improvement he has seen in Cheung's game this year has been her confidence.

"I think that over time she is really starting to realize that she does have a lot of talent and that she can play well," Anderson said.

Her talent shone through this past weekend when she finished eighth at the Ivy League Championships with a score of 79-71-78 - 228. Cheung also says this season's success was due in part to the energy of Allen.

"Before tournaments he always works me out and gets me really pumped before the game," Cheung said. "Confidence-wise, he's been a great support."

For example, in the second round of the Ivy Championships, she was three strokes above par and approaching the 16th hole. After a word with Anderson, she went on to birdie 16, hit a hole in one on 17 and birdie 18 to finish the day one under par.

Anderson, who just wrapped up his first season as head coach, did not recruit Cheung, but says that he was lucky to have inherited her. There is no doubt in his mind that she will go on to win many tournaments during her next three years.

"She has such a great game and she is so focused and she works very hard," Anderson said. "I know that she will win, if not one, but multiple, collegiate tournaments."

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