Teddy Lin’s inspiring journey to golf greatness
As a young golfer in Taiwan, Teddy Lin aspired to showcase his skills at an American university. Drawing inspiration from his icon, Pan Cheng-tsung (C.T. Pan), a UW legend who now competes as a professional golfer on the PGA Tour, Teddy dreamed of following in C.T.’s footsteps by attending the University of Washington.
He poured his heart and soul into golf, becoming one of the most formidable junior players in Taiwan. His bright future garnered the attention of UW Men’s Golf Head Coach Alan Murray, who extended an offer to Teddy, granting his dream of becoming a Husky.
However, transitioning from his hometown of New Taipei City to Montlake proved challenging at first.
“For most incoming students, the transition from high school to college is already hard enough with its own culture shock and difficulties adjusting,” explains Murray. “Add in the pressure of being a college athlete, adjusting to life in a new country, and that transition is even harder, trying to balance schoolwork, competition, practices and travel.”
Working with the support of tutors and academic staff, Teddy was able overcome the barriers he faced during that initial period of transition. Now as a senior, he’s thriving both on the course and in the classroom.
“Along with being a standout athlete, Teddy is a standout student and individual,” says Kim Durand, the Senior Associate Athletic Director for Student Development. “He dreams big and works hard to achieve the goals that he sets for himself. Last year, he made the 2022 Pac-12 Academic Honor Roll for the first time — an achievement he fought hard for.”
On the course, Teddy’s star shines just as brightly. His sophomore year, he earned All-Pac-12 Second team and 2022 GCAA PING All-Region accolades, and last year as a junior, he placed 11th at the 2022–23 Husky Invitational and secured 8th place with a 3-under 213 at the 2021-22 Southwestern Invitational.
His success is made possible by the generosity of donors who provide crucial academic support, scholarships, and operational support for Men’s Golf.
“Donors have not only given me a great environment to achieve my dream, but they have also helped shape me into a better person,” explains Teddy, who is a scholarship recipient. “I am so grateful for their belief in me and support.”
Set to graduate this spring from the highly competitive Foster School of Business with a degree in Finance, Teddy is ready to tackle his next big dream, playing on the PGA Tour like his icon C.T. For now, he’ll focus on making his last year as a Husky unforgettable, preparing to leave a lasting mark on the history of UW Men’s Golf.
