Playing golf is a very hard sport, hence the fact many of us could barely get past the mini-golf course at Scandia! However, this next student-athlete hands down could make any course look easy. She has been playing golf for more years than some of our younger siblings have been alive and has used her extraordinary talent to be a leader for all student athletes around her. Now the moment you have all been waiting for, this week's athlete spotlight is KATIE ROBINSON! Before we look at what her life is like now, let’s jump back into the past and see where her love for the sport began.
Katie started playing golf about 12 years ago at the age of 6. Playing golf was a way for her to bond with her dad but she soon ended up falling in love with the sport. The stillness and quietness of the course along with being able to test her skills during tournaments, competitions, or events has motivated her to keep coming back. And now 12 years later she has achieved more than you can even imagine and competing at tours some people dream about attending.
Within Katie’s high school golf career, she has achieved many awards and recognitions. Okay it’s going to be a lot so don’t hold your breath! Freshman year: she set a HS low record of 34 and qualified for the Sac-Joaquin section tournament, sophomore year she qualified for the North Coast section tournament, junior year she qualified for the North Coast section tournament again along with qualifying for Nor Cals, and on top of it all she is a 3x League MVP and 4 year Varsity team captain. I told you not to hold your breath. That was what she has done in the last four years not counting the eight years before! One technique she found helped her through it all was “mental resets”, which for her meant just taking a step back and if a round wasn’t going well she would change her glove or golf ball to reset herself.
However, outside of all the competitions, tournaments, and tours she also had to put in hours of practice almost everyday. In an interview, she explained that in her daily schedule now she would typically wake up and get through any homework or work that needs to be done before her PM cohort classes, in order to breeze through class. Then once class is over she could head straight to the golf course to get range time with her swing coach or work on course management until sunset. That’s what I call commitment. So, for any golfers reading this who want to play at the elite level Katie is at, practice practice practice! The time and dedication you put into your sport will benefit what you get out of it.
Outside of school and practice she is also involved in multiple extracurricular activities. Volunteer wise, Katie currently helps out at the Johnny Miller Junior Camps at Silverado Resort & Spa. She has also volunteered with the Safeway Open that comes to Silverado every fall and the occasional Girls Golf Day hosted by the Silverado Women's Golf Association. In addition to all her volunteer work, since golf doesn’t have specific club teams, she has competed with the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour, Junior Tour of Northern California, and the Junior Golf Association of Northern California. So outside of school and the high school golf team, Katie still makes time for herself to help out younger golfers in our community and get extra competitions in to improve her skills. Also keep in mind some of these tours she is competing at are against some of the BEST junior golfers in our whole region!
But how does she manage it all you may be wondering. Planning ahead. With all that she does, planning ahead allows her to create a balance with school, family, friends, and life outside of it all. She claimed that in order to reach that next level one of the biggest steps you have to take is learning to prioritize. This is coming from a very successful athlete and student. In the process of getting where she is now, like anyone else, she has hit some bumps in the road. However, she learned that with being an athlete comes failure. Which you can’t move forward without, because some of the biggest skills or lessons you will learn come from looking at the brighter side of failure.
“Don't count yourself out, don't let the negative voices in your life dictate what level you can compete at, or how far you will make it. You can make it wherever you want, as long as you work for it.”
Which is where her advice for all other student-athletes out there comes from, “Don't count yourself out, don't let the negative voices in your life dictate what level you can compete at, or how far you will make it. You can make it wherever you want, as long as you work for it.” So, with finding that balance, learning to prioritize, and hours of dedication to practicing like she did, you WILL get as far as you allow yourself to go. Oh yeah, did I forget to mention Katie is also continuing her golf career after she graduates as part of the Division 1 golf team for Alabama State University (ASU)? Impressive right! So, when I say you should take every lesson and piece of advice from this article, take it and RUN because you can get to the same place she is if you truly want to be there and you’re willing to put in the time and effort for it.
Thank you Katie for being the leader and role model you stand to be today. The journey you’ve had so far is very inspirational and your extraordinary efforts are noticed by many students, athletes, teammates, and coaches all around you. We’re so proud of everything you have accomplished and can’t wait to see what else you are going to achieve as you continue your journey as a D1 athlete for ASU. Keep up all the hard work and you will continue to make history as the phenomenal student-athlete you are. Go Wolves!
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