Leila Rexhepi '24 Recruiting Profile

My dream is play for the LPGA. I know it sounds childish and far-fetched but it is my dream. I am determined to make it happen even if it costs time with my family, friends, missing events, and more. I know I can do it but it wasn't always my dream. Growing up, I started out living in a sizable Albanian-Muslim household. It was my mom, dad, grandma, three sisters, aunt, uncle, and my two cousins all under one roof. Although I was typically busy with family as a kid, every once in a while my dad would put some junior clubs in the trunk and we would take a trip to the range. I never understood how people liked the sport when I was younger. It seemed too hard and I could never hit it as far as my dad could. However, my actual love for golf started right before freshman year. I wondered at first if I was doing the sport for my dad, who may have been happy that one of his four daughters followed his steps, or if it was for me. However, I realized the joy I got from quickly getting better at practice and playing with all kinds of people. I loved feeling the euphoria from hitting an exceptional drive, hearing the clink of the ball going in the hole, and the calming nature that was around me as I walked up to my ball. Not only did golf bring happiness into my life but the sport also helped me develop mentally. I learned over time how to calm my nerves before a tournament, how little changes affected significant results, how to focus on the task at hand instead of my anxiety, and have confidence in my skills. Because of this I started to work harder. I stayed focused at practice and self disciplined myself by staying longer at the range. I was almost always the first to practice and last to leave last season and it’s something that I am proud of. I wanted to be better as a freshman and I still have the same drive. I want to be the best I can. While I put in the work into my athletic side, I also continue to excel academically. With Varsity Golf and being co-editor in chief for my school's newspaper, I continue to maintain my current 3.95 GPA including honors and AP classes. With the summer season I have been practing every day focusing on specific drills needed to tighten my swing, chipping, and putting stats. This is also my first time doing individual tournaments through IJGA and Illinois Section Junior PGA. All of the hard work and experience has led me to break 90 and 80 in the same week and win a tournament at Naperville Country Club with a score of 79. I'm continuing to work my game to bring my score even lower and am looking for a college team that will push me to be even better.

Club Distances

60 - 70

54 - 75

50 - 95

PW - 115

9 Iron - 130

8 Iron - 145

7 Iron - 160

6 Iron - 170

5 Hybrid - 190

4 Hybrid - 200

3 Wood - 215

Driver -  230