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Brooks Adds Bae, Heflin for 2021-22 Campaign
11/18/2020 7:36:00 AM | Women's Golf
DURHAM, N.C. – Duke University women's golf head coach Dan Brooks has announced the signing of two standout golfers in the signing period as Norwood, N.J., product Sophia Bae and Avondale, Pa., native Rylie Heflin will join the Blue Devils for the 2021-22 campaign.
The duo has combined to collect 22 top five finishes, 33 top 10 placements and 46 top 20 finishes since 2016 on the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA).
A 2019 Honorable Mention Rolex Junior All-American and 2018 AJGA Junior All-Star Team selection, Bae has collected 13 top five, 20 top 10 and 25 top 20 placements since 2016 on the AJGA.
"Sophia has been competing at a high level for a long time," said Brooks. "She has the demeanor of a professional on the golf course and in her practice. She also has a warm and thoughtful personality. Sophia will bring great commitment and work ethic, very impressive skills, and a delightful addition to our mix of personalities. I look forward to Sophia's impact on our team, during and away from golf."
In four events in 2020, Bae collected a tied for second placement along with two tied for seventh finishes on the AJGA. Her best finish came at the Vaughn Taylor Championship with a tied for second ledger. Bae has collected 10 rounds in the 60s on the AJGA.
Bae broke out in December of 2018 by winning the second annual Faldo Series U.S. Grand Final at Bella Collina Golf Club. She carded rounds of 67, 69 and 67 for a 13-under-par, 203. Bae was the first female winner in the U.S. Grand Final history.
On the IMG Junior Golf Tour, Bae won three different times – twice in 2018-19 at the NE Series – Flanders Valley (71-68=139) and Eagle Creek Golf Club (66-71=137) and once in 2016-17 at the NE Kickoff – Flanders Valley (74-72=146).
Winner of the 2018 AJGA Philadelphia Junior, Heflin has collected nine top five finishes, 13 top 10 and 21 top 20 placements on the AJGA since 2016. With rounds of 67, 70 and 73 for a 210, Heflin won the AJGA Philadelphia Junior for her first AJGA win of her career.
"I've been aware of Rylie for a long time, ever since her young junior golf days," said Brooks. "Her skills have always impressed me, as well as her passion. She's very excited to be a member of our team. She'll bring great team spirit and wonderful talent. It's exciting to know that Rylie will finally be joining us."
Heflin is a three-time First Team All-State selection and has helped her Tower High School to three consecutive DIAA Co-Ed State Championships from 2017-19. She finished second individually in the 2019 Co-Ed State Championship. Heflin was the Pennsylvania State Junior Champion in 2018, IJGT Champion in 2017, WGPA Match Play Champion in 2016 and is a five-time Hurricane Junior Golf Tour (HJGT) Champion.
Other top finishes over her career include a top five placement at the AJGA Junior Girls Championship in 2019 with rounds of 74, 72 and 69 for a 215, AJGA Imperial Headwear Junior Championship Runner-Up in 2019 with rounds of 72, 68 and 71 for a 211 and the AJGA Junior All-Star at Irish Creek runner up with rounds of 71, 70 and 73.
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The duo has combined to collect 22 top five finishes, 33 top 10 placements and 46 top 20 finishes since 2016 on the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA).
A 2019 Honorable Mention Rolex Junior All-American and 2018 AJGA Junior All-Star Team selection, Bae has collected 13 top five, 20 top 10 and 25 top 20 placements since 2016 on the AJGA.
"Sophia has been competing at a high level for a long time," said Brooks. "She has the demeanor of a professional on the golf course and in her practice. She also has a warm and thoughtful personality. Sophia will bring great commitment and work ethic, very impressive skills, and a delightful addition to our mix of personalities. I look forward to Sophia's impact on our team, during and away from golf."
In four events in 2020, Bae collected a tied for second placement along with two tied for seventh finishes on the AJGA. Her best finish came at the Vaughn Taylor Championship with a tied for second ledger. Bae has collected 10 rounds in the 60s on the AJGA.
Bae broke out in December of 2018 by winning the second annual Faldo Series U.S. Grand Final at Bella Collina Golf Club. She carded rounds of 67, 69 and 67 for a 13-under-par, 203. Bae was the first female winner in the U.S. Grand Final history.
On the IMG Junior Golf Tour, Bae won three different times – twice in 2018-19 at the NE Series – Flanders Valley (71-68=139) and Eagle Creek Golf Club (66-71=137) and once in 2016-17 at the NE Kickoff – Flanders Valley (74-72=146).
Winner of the 2018 AJGA Philadelphia Junior, Heflin has collected nine top five finishes, 13 top 10 and 21 top 20 placements on the AJGA since 2016. With rounds of 67, 70 and 73 for a 210, Heflin won the AJGA Philadelphia Junior for her first AJGA win of her career.
"I've been aware of Rylie for a long time, ever since her young junior golf days," said Brooks. "Her skills have always impressed me, as well as her passion. She's very excited to be a member of our team. She'll bring great team spirit and wonderful talent. It's exciting to know that Rylie will finally be joining us."
Heflin is a three-time First Team All-State selection and has helped her Tower High School to three consecutive DIAA Co-Ed State Championships from 2017-19. She finished second individually in the 2019 Co-Ed State Championship. Heflin was the Pennsylvania State Junior Champion in 2018, IJGT Champion in 2017, WGPA Match Play Champion in 2016 and is a five-time Hurricane Junior Golf Tour (HJGT) Champion.
Other top finishes over her career include a top five placement at the AJGA Junior Girls Championship in 2019 with rounds of 74, 72 and 69 for a 215, AJGA Imperial Headwear Junior Championship Runner-Up in 2019 with rounds of 72, 68 and 71 for a 211 and the AJGA Junior All-Star at Irish Creek runner up with rounds of 71, 70 and 73.
#GoDuke
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