When she was younger, Lauren LaBow’s dad used to take her to the golf course, and those father-daughter outings gave LaBow a deep passion for the game.
“When I was about four years old my dad took me out to the golf course for the first time,” says LaBow. “I fell in love with it immediately. I kept asking my dad to take me out more and more. It sparked up my love and drive to play golf.”
The Rosary Academy senior and four-year varsity golfer has found her place on the course, leading her team as a top-three scorer for three straight years. The 17-year-old has also been named to the All-Trinity League Team three times and has been a CIF individual qualifier twice.
The blending of the individual and team aspects of high school golf is what LaBow enjoys most about playing for Rosary. She approaches her role as a senior leader with encouragement and positivity.
“Golf is a really mental game, so as a leader, I try to make our team mentally strong,” says LaBow. “I like to focus on the positives more than the negatives as a leader.”
Her solid performance both on and off the course has made LaBow a respected part of the Royals golf program.
“As a leader, Lauren has never shied away from asking the tough questions,” says Rosary head golf coach, Steve Hiskey. “She exhibits a great deal of honesty as she has called penalties on herself during matches. Lauren is a very enthusiastic teammate.”
As LaBow enters the final season of her high school career, the Huntington Beach resident admits that she will miss the challenge and the honor it has been to represent Rosary in the Trinity League.
“I’m really going to miss my teammates and the bonds I’ve created over the years with my golf team,” says LaBow. “And I’m also going to really miss my coaches, who have helped shape me both as a person and an athlete.”
Away from the course, LaBow volunteers by serving the Skid Row community. She also maintains a job as a waitress at a country club in Huntington Beach. After graduation, LaBow hopes to continue playing golf in college while studying psychology and feels the mental strength she’s developed as a result of golf will go a long way in helping her reach those goals.
“I think that playing golf has really taught me to be a hard worker and determined in everything I do, because with a lot of hard work and determination, anything is possible,” says LaBow.
She’s inspired by both her parents and grandparents who are “gracious and hard working” and have supported her every step. And no matter where the steps lead, LaBow knows God has a plan for her life.
“Even if I don’t play well, or if I play really [well],” says LaBow, “it’s all going to be for God.”