Bayside had arguably the two best female golfers in New York City

For three years, Bayside had arguably the two best female golfers in New York City. Alice Choi won the PSAL individual championships in 2006, 2007 and 2008, while close friend and teammate Han Rin Lee won the individuals in 2009 with second-place finishes in 2006 and 2008.

But their excellence did not translate into team success for the Commodores. Due to a lack of depth, the pair never even saw the postseason in their first three years.

“We were hoping to win [a team championship] this year,” Lee said.

With an able third golfer, Sarah Kim, Bayside did just that, beating Susan Wagner back in November. And Monday night, Choi and Lee were both honored with the PSAL Wingate Award for girls golf at a ceremony at St. Francis College. The recognition goes to the best senior in a given sport, but Choi and Lee were so impressive together that it left the league no choice but to make it a co-award.

“It’s only fitting that there were two this year for golf,” Bayside coach Andrew Cogliati said. “With all their accomplishments, not just in high school but also in individual tournaments, it’s been unmatched.”

Choi and Lee met in seventh grade at the Golden Bear Driving Range in Douglaston and have been inseparable since. Competing against each other in outside tournaments, Choi said, has not put a damper on what has become a longtime friendship.

“We’re like best friends,” she said.

Both will play in the Big East next year. Choi has a golf scholarship waiting for her at Georgetown and Lee has the same at St. John’s. Choi, who didn’t compete in the PSAL individuals this season, was the top golfer at the New York State Junior Championships and the Tournament of Champions in 2009. Lee was the top golfer in her group at the International Junior Golf Tour in 2009.

But rather than all the personal accomplishments they racked up in a remarkable four years, the pair both pointed to winning the team championship this past season as the most memorable moment.

“That was icing on the cake for them,” Cogliati said. “It was our first playoff appearance. We were always missing a third golfer. They really helped out, too.”

The coach said Choi and Lee helped to raise the level of play in New York City girls golf. It has certainly helped his squad. After struggling to put together a competitive team year after year before they got to Bayside, Cogliati said he has eight solid players coming back next year.

“What they’ve done for the school and, I think the sport itself, is set the bar,” he said. “The other girls have followed them, they set the example, and they see they can succeed. We’re gonna miss them. I think the sport is gonna miss them.”