SDSU just added a winner to the roster. Newly signed Aztecs standout Kaylee Chung is coming off a tournament title right here in San Diego. Plus, we’re breaking down a new Timeout Term you’ll want in your sports vocabulary: the Golf Exemption.

SAN DIEGO - Golfer Kaylee Chung will arrive at San Diego State University in the Fall with championship momentum highlighted by a national title earned in the same county she will soon call home.

Chung captured the 19th Annual Girls 15–18 FCG National Junior Golf Championship, finishing at 214 (-2) over three rounds Dec. 21-23 at the Twin Oaks golf course in San Marcos, Calif. She set the tone early with an opening-round 68, then finished the next two rounds at 73 to hold off a deep, elite field and secure one of the premier titles in junior golf.

“We are thrilled to welcome Kaylee to the Aztec family,” San Diego State head women’s golf coach Lauren Dobashi said. “Kaylee has already proven herself on some of the biggest stages in junior golf and her competitive spirit, composure under pressure and dedication to excellence make her a perfect addition to our team.”

The victory is the latest milestone in Chung’s rapid rise. A native of Vancouver, British Columbia, Chung became the first Canadian to win the Notah Begay III Junior Golf National Championship in 2024. In June 2025, she won the Les Schwab Amateur Open in Portland, earning her a spot in the LPGA’s Portland Classic.

Chung, who will join the Aztecs next fall, shared that she is honored and excited to attend SDSU. The Canadian began playing golf when she was 12, later than most, a sign that her best golf is likely still ahead of her.

With national championships already on her resume and success under pressure firmly established, Chung is ready to help elevate San Diego State women’s golf in the seasons ahead.

SDSU has already had more success this fall than in the past two years, generally finishing in the top half of strong fields. Junior Ema Narita, the team’s most successful golfer this year, is from Tokyo, one of five international players on the team, providing an environment that could ease the transition for Chung as she makes the move from Canada next fall.

Going into this event, I came with the intention to win. At the same time, I wanted to play smart and stay disciplined. I’ve been working on a new swing over the past couple of months, so a big goal was to trust it in competition and learn on the course so I can continue getting better for the future. I focused on making good decisions, being aggressive when the situation called for it, and playing conservatively when that was the smarter move.

I stayed focused by committing to my game plan and trusting my swing. When pressure built, I reminded myself to stick to smart decisions and control what I can control. I relied on my routine and focused on each shot as it came, thinking “this shot is the most important shot”, which helped me stay calm and confident even in high-pressure moments.

My favorite moment was holing out for eagle on the first hole of the final day. It was a huge confidence boost and helped me feel comfortable.

Winning a national junior title makes me feel prepared as I transition from junior tournaments into amateur events next year. It shows that my game and mindset are ready for a higher level of competition and I’m excited to challenge myself against stronger fields while continuing to grow and prepare for college golf.

In golf, an exemption is a special entry that automatically qualifies a player for a tournament, bypassing normal entry rules, typically earned through past wins and/or high rankings, or granted by a sponsor for promotional reasons. These spots allow players to get into fields they wouldn't otherwise qualify for, keeping top pros and popular local/amateur players in events. (In tennis, the term used to describe this special type of entry is called a wildcard).

According to its website, the golf event that Kaylee won last week, the 19th Annual FCG National Championship, has the greatest opportunities for exemption for the 2026 FCG Callaway World Championship for the Boys and Girls 15-18 Divisions.