We interviewed three members of the Varsity golf team about their passion for golf and goals for the future.

Bradley Lavinier (12)

Q: Who is your golf role model and why?
A: My golf role model has actually depended on where I have been in my development as a golfer. However, the one person that always comes back is Tiger Woods for his accomplishments in his prime, and his mindset when he was competing.

Q: What is your favorite golf club and why?
A: My favorite golf club is my lob wedge, as it is versatile and I learned how to chip with it from Phil Mickelson.

Q: What is your favorite golf course ever played at and why?
A: My favorite golf course is Cinnabar Hills in California, due to its massive elevation changes and unique layout.

Q: If you could play a round of golf at any course in the world, where would you and why?
A: If we are talking about the states, then Pebble Beach due to its historical presence and reputation for being one of the most beautiful golf courses in the world. If we were talking globally, then a lost course in South Uist, Ireland, which is a self-sustaining golf course that Old Tom Morris built.

Q: If you could play a round of golf with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
A: I would choose to play with Tiger Woods, as he has had one of the most dominating careers in his generation, and I feel like I could learn a lot from him.

Q: When did you start playing golf and who introduced you to it/how did you decide to begin playing?
A: I started to get serious and make golf my main sport in 8th grade, and it was introduced to me by my dad, who was always into golf.

Q: What is your favorite golf ball brand and why?
A: My favorite golf ball brand is either TaylorMade’s TP5x or Titleist’s PROV1x, as both offer good control over the ball without sacrificing distance.

Q: What is your strongest area of golf and what did you do to master it?
A: Currently, my strongest area in golf is putting, but it would be a stretch to call it mastery.

Q: Are you committed to playing college golf, and if so, where are you committed and what was the process like?
A: I am committed to playing golf at Hastings College, but the process was confusing, and it was challenging to find a coach who wanted me.

Q: Have you won any awards this season, and how did it feel to win?
A: I have won a couple of tournaments, but winning did not feel amazing, as I always strive to do better and win at the top of my game. However, it was a satisfying feeling to look back at the time I put into practice.

Abi Elder (10)

Q: Who is your golf role model and why? How did you discover them? What about them resonates with you?
A: My golf role model is my dad because he introduced me to the game and has always supported me through my journey in golf. He’s a hard worker and always pushes me to be better.

Q: What is your favorite golf club and why? What is your history with it? Was it always your favorite?
A: My favorite club is my driver because it was the most challenging club for me to hit. It travels a long way and it’s a beautiful sight. In the beginning, my driver was the club I struggled the most with. It used to be the most difficult club because it’s the hardest club to control but after hard work, it has become my favorite club.

Q: What is your favorite golf course ever played at? Why? What was special about it?
A: My favorite golf course is Memorial park because of the challenging greens that were designed by Tom Doak. The greens are difficult and if you don’t hit the middle, the ball will roll off to the sides and you need to have a chipping game. Each time I play it makes it more challenging.

Q: If you could play a round of golf at any course in the world, where would you and why?
A: Emirates golf club. Now, this would be a cool place to play. The pictures, the video and the stories about Dubai have made it a sure bucket-list destination for me.

Q: If you could play a round of golf with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
A: If I could play a round of golf with anyone it would be a pro. But, I’d choose my dad because he’s my hero and he’s the best golfer I’ve ever seen he’s my champion my number one.

Q: When did you start playing golf and who introduced you to it/how did you decide to begin playing?
A: I started playing golf at age 14 the summer going to my freshman year so I’ve been playing for almost 2 years. My dad introduced me to golf. I decided to begin playing golf because I enjoyed it and it’s difficult to master and keeps you coming back because you want to conquer every course.

Q: What is your favorite golf ball brand and why?
A: My favorite golf ball is the Taylormade Soft Response because when chipping it allows me to control it.

Q: What is your strongest area of golf and what did you do to master it?
A: My strongest area of golf is my short game. I try to focus more on those types of shots because if they go well, the pressure on my tee shots and approach shots is less. I try to have confidence, focus and commitment to my short game shots, so I will be able to apply my best physical skills, no matter how good they are.

Q: Are you committed to playing college golf, and if so, where are you committed and what was the process like?
A: Yes, I’m planning to go to the University of Texas. I want to go to UT because I feel like I don’t want to be far away from my family but I also don’t wanna be close. I feel like they have an awesome team.

Q: Have you won any awards this season, and how did it feel to win?
A: I played a nine-hole tournament at Timber Creek and got first place. I felt great that I could win and that I could do better.

Jessica Sigmon (12)

Q: What is your golf role model and why?
A: My favorite player is Jordan Speith.

Q: What is your favorite golf club and why?
A: My favorite club is the driver because I can hit really far with it and I’m able to set myself up for success on the rest of the whole.

Q: What is your favorite golf course ever played at and why?
A: Tour 18 because it’s extremely unique compared to other courses I’ve played in that each hole is designed to replicate famous holes across the world where PGA tournaments have taken place at.

Q: If you could play a round of golf at any course in the world, where would you and why?
A: Pebble beach golf links, because it’s a gorgeous course on the water and they have hosted multiple opens and PGA tournaments since the 1900s.

Q: If you could play a round of golf with anyone, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
A: I would for sure want to play a round with Arnold Palmer. He is an absolute icon in both the golf and beverage worlds. He won so many PGA tournaments and was especially known for having a kind and fun personality. I feel like we would get along super well, and I love Arnold Palmers (the drink).

Q: When did you start playing golf and who introduced you to it/how did you decide to begin playing?
A: I’ve been playing for three years, some of my siblings used to play and out of sibling rivalry, I decided to pick it up. Over the years I’ve grown to love it, it’s definitely one of my favorite hobbies.

Q: What is your favorite golf ball brand and why?
A: Neon-colored Callaways because they’re easy to find no matter where I hit them and they can’t get mixed up with other balls.

Q: What is your strongest area of golf and what did you do to master it?
A: My drive is by far my strongest area because I’ve dedicated numerous hours of my free time to practicing hitting my driver at the driving range.

Q: Are you committed to playing college golf, and if so, where are you committed and what was the process like?
A: Yes, I am committed to playing golf at Baylor University. I am super excited to be attending and I look forward to playing for a college team.

Q: Have you won any awards this season, and how did it feel to win?
A: At our most recent women’s varsity tournament we placed first as a team and it felt great to win. I look forward to hopefully winning at districts and advancing to regionals.