The NDA athletics is a big family. And being a part of a small fraction of that family was a big part of my life. I was a part of the golf team for three years. Joining the golf team was the most challenging yet rewarding experience I have encountered during my almost four years in high school.

The Girls Golf team is usually small in numbers, but this allows you to connect with your teammates and in the end make some of your closest friends. I was able to make some of my closest friends on this team.

While golf may not be the most entertaining or exhilarating sport, it can be fun and mentally challenging. Golf challenges you to think and analyze a drive, fairway shot, chip and putt. Golf challenged me to become more mentally confident in myself and the shot I was going to hit. And this also helped me with school, and becoming more confident in my schoolwork and mentality in general. 

Now being a senior in high school, I am a leader for all of the younger girls on our team. I had to embrace being a role model for them, even when golf got frustrating. I had to show up for them and show them it’s okay to struggle, and it’s okay to be mad at yourself for a shot. But in the end it’s important that you can move on from a bad shot and clear your head for the next shots. Being able to shake off the bad shots is a talent that many golfers can not do. 

I encourage anyone  no matter if you are an incoming freshman, or if you’re a junior, you should try out for golf. Being able to step out of your comfort zone will set you up for your future, and golf is a perfect way to do so. And being able to make some of your best friends will become one of the greatest experiences you will have in high school.