Plano East junior Jake Li qualified for the Region I-6A Golf Tournament after earning third place at the District 6-6A Tournament. Courtesy Ashley Payne
By David Wolman
Plano East junior Jake Li finished strong to captured third place in the District 9-6A golf tournament at The Courses at Watters Creek and earn a spot in the Region I-6A Tournament.
Li began the tournament by starting on the back nine. He shot double bogey on the first hole but he quickly regrouped and finished strong, becoming Plano East’s first male golfer to qualify for the regional tournament since 2012. Overall, he shot 3-over, 147.
“What stands out is his composure after a tough hole and his ability to stick to his game plan,” head coach Ashley Payne said. “He avoids unnecessary risks and executes consistently, which shows a high level of maturity and confidence.”
After shooting 5-over 77 on the first day, Li turned in the best round of any golfer on the second day, carding a 2-under 70, which included three birdies and only one bogey.
Over the final four holes, he shot 3-under par, including a hole-out eagle from approximately 40 yards in the rough, and a closing birdie with a made 20-foot birdie putt on the final hole to secure his qualification for the regional tournament.
“He was extremely locked in,” Payne said. “This was the best round he has played. After the round, he shared with me that his putting was strong on day one, and on day two he was able to get his iron shots dialed in, which helped him put together such a strong performance. Jake said that he was only working, “Shot by shot, hole by hole, committed to every shot.”
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