It would be an understatement to say that senior Sidney Walker is a driven, accomplished golfer, considering she competed at States three times since freshman year and has recently committed to Radford University on a scholarship to play golf at the collegiate level.
Unlike most popular sports, such as football or basketball, golf is an individualistic sport, where success and failure are solely determined by the effort and talent of the player. Although Walker is now thriving as captain of the Spartan Golf Team, she has overcome challenges that have contributed to her improvement as a competitive golfer.
“When I was younger, the hardest aspect was keeping a positive attitude throughout my whole round but I have improved…by staying calm and relaxed when I am not hitting the ball,” said Walker.
It is crucial for a golf player to have mental toughness in order to stay consistent on the course and play well, even in the toughest of circumstances. Walker now has a confident, resilient mentality, which differentiates her from others because it helps her perform under immense amounts of pressure.
“Sidney…has an innate ability to rise to the occasion and hit shots when it counts the most,” said golf coach Tyler Bantle.
In order to refine techniques and improve, a player must have a strong work ethic and set aside time to practice often. Walker has been playing golf since she was six years old and currently practices for one to two hours a day, and even longer on weekends, which demonstrates her dedication and passion for the sport.
“I love playing [golf] because I am an independent person; it teaches good life lessons, and it is what I love to do most,” said Walker.
This fall season, the Spartan Golf Team went 3-4 overall in matches and is currently setting their sights on performing well at the Conference Championship, and for some golfers, States as well.
“Overall, our team is a great group and [they] work really hard,” said Walker. “The goal now is to finish in the middle of the pack at Conference.”
Besides refining her leadership skills, golf has also helped teach Walker other important life lessons off the green as well. The sport has helped her learn to deal with her emotions better, work with others, and retain an optimistic outlook in everyday life.
Her driven work ethic and talent have earned her numerous accolades, such as becoming captain of the Varsity golf team, winning the Club Championship, and attaining a scholarship to play at Radford University. In the future, she aims to play in amateur tournaments after college or to play in a professional league if the chance arises.
“The difference between good players and great players is the effort they put in to improve; as of now, she is on the path to be great,” said Bantle.