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Ben Leong made a smooth transition to the world of college golf after a very successful junior career. His experience playing nationally and internationally helped him adjust to the travel schedule at UCF. He is very dedicated to his practice routine and works tirelessly on improving his game. He is an excellent ball-striker and has the ability to post some really low scores.
As a Freshman (2004-05): Leong made an immediate impact, playing in nine of the 13 events during the year. He improved as the year went on, posting some of his best scores at the end of the year. He had the second lowest stroke average on the team at 74.63 with two top 20 finishes and three sub-par rounds. His best finish came in the Atlantic Sun Conference Championships at the Vanderbilt Legends Club in Franklin, Tenn., where he tied for second at 7-under-par. He posted his lowest round of the year in the second round when he shot a 6-under-par 65. He earned A-Sun All-Tournament honors for his efforts and was also named to the A-Sun All-Freshmen team. He also played well at the NCAA East Regional, shooting an opening round 5-under-par 66. He wound up tied for 39th at 2-over-par, but was at 4-under-par for the tournament with three holes to play. He missed the inaugural Isleworth Collegiate Invitational while competing in the World Amateur Championship in Puerto Rico. He posted scores of 72, 69, 69 to finish in a tie for 10th in that event. The summer after his freshman year he won a qualifier for the U.S. Amateur at Rio Pinar Country Club with a 36-hole score of 9-under-par 135.
Prior to UCF: Leong graduated from Bradenton Academy in Bradenton, Fla.. He played extensively as a junior player, earning third-team Rolex Junior All-America honors. He won the Southeast Asia Amateur Championship in 2003 and finished in the top 10 in the Junior World Golf Championship and the AJGA Rolex Tournament of Champions. He also played in the European Tour[apos]s Malaysian Open in 2003, but missed the cut. In 2004, he finished runner-up in the Southeast Asia Amateur Championship and lost in a playoff in the AJGA HP Boys Junior Championship.
Personal: Ben Leong was born Jan. 20, 1986 in Malaysia, and is the son of Star Lim and Leong Nyun Chong. He is fluent in five languages and is majoring in liberal studies.
Ben Leong[apos]s Golf Snapshot
Started playing golf at what age: 7 years old
First learned the game from: My Dad
What I like about golf is: It[apos]s fun, rewarding and I have a talent for it
I model my game after: Stuart Appleby
Lowest round ever: 65
Lowest round in competition: 65
Most birdies in a round: 10
Career holes-in-one: 1
Home golf course: Sabah Golf and Country Club (Malaysia)
Favorite golf course I[apos]ve played: Torrey Pines
Golf course I[apos]d like to play: Valderama
My dream foursome would include: Tiger Woods, Ernie Els, John Daly
Most memorable golfing moment: My first hole-in-one