On Friday, Nov. 11, 2016, Upper Dublin senior David Kim was recognized for committing to continue his golf career at La Salle University. To view photos of the event, please visit the Photo Gallery.
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David Kim – La Salle University (Golf)
Major: Undecided/Business
Final list of colleges: La Salle, St. Joseph’s, Millersville, Carnegie Mellon
Reasons for choosing La Salle: “When I went on my visit, I liked the location, I liked the small campus, and I wanted to be in the city. It’s close to home, which I really wanted, and they have a great athletic program. When I went on my visit, the coach really made me feel like he wanted me. He said I could fit in. I met some of my teammates, and they’re all cool and nice.”
What was the progression that led you to competing in golf at the collegiate level? “When I started playing, I always thought about it in the back of my head, but I didn’t really think it would happen. After my junior year was when I started playing really well, and it started opening some doors for me. That’s when I found out I might be good enough as long as I keep playing well and getting better. It all worked out, so I’m really happy.”
Coach Steve Pickford says: “The thing that makes David so good is his work ethic, his practice behind the scenes that nobody sees that he’s done for the past four years – his dad taking him out to the range, going to the course, hours of putting, chipping and driving. I think that’s what makes him such a special player is that he’s so consistent throughout the bag – from his driver, he’s one of the longer hitters in Suburban One. He’s probably the best putter in Suburban One. He rarely three putts, he gets up and down, and he’s just a model of consistency with his ball striking. His short game and his putting – he’s just an all-around terrific player. La Salle is very lucky to get him. I know there were several schools that were vying for his talents, so for them to get him on their team is a coup for them. I think he’s going to step right in and be a starter, and his scores will be counted in their matches. He’s going to be a golfer that’s going to be their top probably three or four player on their roster as a freshman, so they’re going to get four great years from him.
“Not only is he a great golfer, he’s just a terrific kid. He’s one of our tri-captains, and he was a kid that had a great sense of humor but knew when to be serious and knew what to say and when to say it. He wasn’t a rah rah captain, so when he did talk, the kids listened. I think he also had a way of keeping the kids loose. On the bus, he had a great sense of humor. I know the support system with his family is a big part of it. His family comes to all of his matches, especially the tournaments he plays outside of school. Golf isn’t cheap. It’s a financial commitment you might not have for other sports, so to have his parents do all of that for him and be supportive at the same time – I think it’s a little bit rare nowadays. Golf is very time consuming. There are not a whole lot of things that you can do as a team. It was a lot of him by himself, early in the morning, late in the day, putting in the work so he could become the player that he’s become.”
About David:
Favorite food: Pizza
Favorite movie: The Greatest Game Ever Played
Favorite music: Rap/Old School Rock
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