By CHUCK PORTER

Jenks golfer Sophia Lefler has a bright future.

As a freshman in 2022, Lefler finished 12th in the 6A state tournament at Lincoln Park’s West course in Oklahoma City, helping to lead Jenks to the state title by a dominant 24 strokes. 

As a sophomore in 2023, she’s continued to hone her game while carding a sub-70 round, tying atop the leaderboard in Ponca City and winning the Jenks Invitational.  

Her goals for the future?

“To win three more state championships with my team and finish well individually at state. Beyond high school, I want to play Division I golf.”

Lefler and the Lady Trojans better keep clearing room in the trophy case. Jenks is favored to win another state title in May, with Lefler a key component in the title defense.

“I have enjoyed bonding with the team and getting to play tournaments with them,” Lefler said. “The best part of playing on my school team is getting to play and compete with my teammates and cheer them on. All of my teammates are good and they push me to become better.”

Lefler said she has her middle clubs dialed in, but she knows she can continue to improve in many areas, especially hitting fairways. 

“The strongest part of my game would be my irons, and the part of my game I am working on improving right now would be my driver,” she said. “Every day is a new day to get better. You will never be perfect in the game, and the challenge of the course is always different.“

One golfer Lefler said she takes notes on is LPGA tour pro Lexi Thompson. ”She is a very good golfer and could probably teach me some things, and she is an inspirational person that I look up to.” 

While the tournament trophies, individual honors, and state titles are great, there might be one title that Lefler likes to claim over all the others.

“I am the best golfer in my family,” Lefler said. “But my dad is a close second.”