From the U.S. Women’s Open to Sacramento State

Wherever she goes, NorCal native Sophia Lee brings game and Zen

This article originally appeared in the August issue of NCGA Golf Magazine

By James Raia 

Like her younger and older siblings, Sophia Lee participated in several sports as a young girl. But when she began playing golf at age 8, something was different. She had a consistently good swing and hit the ball straight. Family and friends noticed and commented on her developing skills.

Rob Lee, Sophia's father, noticed yet another trait in his daughter, often considered among golf's most important. It was apparent as a young player, and it's never left.

"What set her apart from everyone else was her demeanor,” the elder Lee said. "You never see her get upset. She's always smiling, regardless of whether she's having a good round, bad round or if she's had a good shot or not.

"My wife and I have pretty much attended every match she's been in and even practices. Oftentimes, you don't know if she's hit a good shot or not. She just has this smile on her face. We knew she was kind of different. Her temperament is really good for this particular game."

A decade after she started, including a stint with First Tee Contra Costa, Lee combined her physical skills and the Zen of her personality and advanced to the pinnacle of golf. This past May, at age 18, the Fairfield resident was among 26 amateurs who competed in the U.S. Women's Open at Erin Hills in Wisconsin.

Lee qualified for the 80th women's national championship with her third-place finish in mid-April in a qualifying event at Del Paso Country Club in Sacramento with rounds of 67-70 for a 5-under 137 total in a field of 84. At Erin Hills, Lee shot 79-81 and missed the cut on the demanding public layout. Lottie Woad of Great Britain, who finished at 5-over-par, was the top finisher among six amateurs who made the cut.

Still, Lee walked away with her head still high—and with more experience under her belt.

"It was definitely an amazing experience," said Lee, winner of the 2024 California State Fair Junior Championship. "It really helped me understand the things I needed to work on in my game, such as being more efficient and getting more distance. I wish I had those 20 more yards. I definitely need to work on my strength training. 

"Overall, I felt like I could compete in that level. It didn't feel as nerve-wracking as I thought it would, especially having a crowd. I wasn't really sure how I was going to feel. I felt like I actually played better with the crowd. I will definitely miss that in my next events."

Sophia's sisters, Olivia (13) and Hannah (22), are also accomplished golfers, and for many years, the family Lee has traveled together to competitions, primarily in the car.

For the U.S. Open, the siblings, their father and mother, Olga, drove 30 hours to Wisconsin. Last year, the family drove about 40 hours during a six-day journey to South Carolina for the First Tee National Championship. Hannah Lee is a site director and coach with First Tee-Contra Costa.

The Lee sisters' successes have prompted interest from community and corporate supporters including The Morton Golf Foundation, First Tee, Sistas On The Links and Youth On Course. From grants to scholarships and discounts on equipment to playing privileges on various courses, the assistance has helped cultivate more opportunities. 

"I feel the support; it motivates me to play better," Sophia Lee said. "I really appreciate when people come out and watch and cheer me on. It really means a lot." 

Besides her family, Sophia's participation in the U.S. Women's Open prompted the watchful eyes of her current private coach and future collegiate coach, Tim Berg and David Sutherland. The latter is the former PGA Tour player and long-time coach at California State University, Sacramento, where Lee has accepted a scholarship. She’ll begin her freshman year this fall.

Berg, whose 60-year playing, course management and teaching career includes a stint at Pebble Beach Golf Links, traveled with his wife to Wisconsin to watch Lee.

"I thought she did a wonderful job; she looked like she felt like she belonged," said Berg, the long-time PGA Golf Professional who began coaching Lee early in her youth career. "She did a great job of fitting in and enjoying the moment. She wants to be a good golfer, so obviously being in that environment would either discourage you or encourage you. I think it solidified her desire to be a very good player."

"The course was very difficult. She doesn't quite have the length yet," Berg said. "We haven't yet worked enough to give her the (best) distance. She was hitting a lot of long approach shots. But she was hitting the ball well on a very demanding golf course."

Among the many other titles Lee won in either 2023 and 2024 were the Johnny Miller "Champ" Junior Championship and the Mizuno Aurora Junior Championship. She also played for six years on Sacramento Golf Council’s junior circuit. 

"She has improved a lot; she has become a very proficient player,” said Berg, currently a coach at Bing Maloney Golf Course in Sacramento. "She has won a lot of local events and works hard.”

That work ethic, combined with her relaxed Zen spirit, should bode well for her down the path.