Athlete of the Week: Golfer Sarah Wi

Senior Sarah Wi is a four-year member of the Fort Lee golf team. She has defeated every one of her opponents this week and, more notably, has not lost at all this season.

With four wins against Pascack Hills, Westwood, Passaic Tech and Ridgefield, Fort Lee has improved to 8-1 this week thanks in part to Sarah’s contributions.

Just counting the four matches, Wi is edging the closest competitor by almost double digit margins each time out on the links, including as many as 19 shots on a Thursday victory.

“It’s a great honor that she was able to be chosen [athlete of the week] in Fort Lee and her hard work has been rewarded,” said Lady Bridgemen golf coach Bob Ciccone. “We’re having some success obviously and it is due to her leadership.”

And this is not just the leadership that seniors tend to endure during a final season. Sarah is leading a new program as Fort Lee is experiencing their first season in a girls' league for golf.

With a lot of uncertainties, including a new format change to stroke play competition, Wi has accepted the challenges.

“I need her to beat people by five or six strokes to make up for anything in the back that might not be there,” Ciccone added. “Her difference, when she shot the 30 [on Wednesday through a rain-shorted five holes], she was 5 or 6 shots better…that is almost a stroke a hole that she was beating somebody.”

Sarah has improved from year to year from her freshman season, when she started to compete against the boys. Wi was an all-league first team athlete all three years as well as being named to the second team all-league in the boys division last season. She finished 32-17-6 against the boys in her Fort Lee golfing career.

The Lady Bridgeman also were third in the girls league tournament her freshman year, before jumping to second when she was a sophomore and number 1 this past season.  

That is all due in part to the amount of time she spends practicing. In addition to competing with the team, Sarah also plays a lot of golf with her parents on the weekends at both ranges and on courses.  

Someday she hopes to compete on the LPGA (Ladies Professional Golf Association) Tour, but until then, Sarah has Ramsey to look forward to next week with Immaculate Heart Academy and Paramus the following week.  

Here are Sarah’s results from the past week at Overpeck County Golf Course:

Monday – Win vs Pascack Hills (240-266)

Wi lead all players with a low of 45.

Tuesday – Win vs Westwood (148-156)

Wi with a low of 30 over rain-shortened 5 holes

Thursday – Win vs Passaic Tech (236-279) and Ridgefield Memorial (236-280)

Wi lead all players again with a low score of 50.