Senior Series - Kate Petersen

I joined the golf team my freshman year, taking a chance on a fairly new sport at a very new school. In the four years since, I gained a family, a coach I can connect with about golf or just life in general, teammates that I look up to and rely on when I need them the most, and friends that I wouldn't trade for the world. Hawken Athletics gave me four years of life lessons I would've missed if my coach, Jennifer Creech, hadn't told 6th-grade Kate she just needed a bigger set of golf clubs.

Entering my freshman year, I was beyond nervous to start playing competitively. I was scared the other girls would judge me or make fun of me, as I was new to the tournament scene. My first tournament was the Lady Bruin Invitational at Pine Hills Golf Course. The day started the same way the majority of our tournaments did, with a team van ride. I tried my best to distract myself and forget my nerves, laughing the whole way to the tournament. We got to the course, did some putting, and then headed out to our designated starting holes. I met my playing partners for the day, relieved to find out one of them was a freshman like me. We teed off, and I immediately learned something that stayed true throughout the past four years: The strangers that you meet on the first hole become your friends by the 18th. The level of respect and kindness shared on the golf course is what kept me coming back. My group continued to support each other, rooting each other on through the good shots and the bad. Trust me, I had a lot of bad shots that first day, but I was still supported and encouraged, even as my last putt dropped on the final hole for a rock-solid 118.

Golf may be viewed as an individual sport by others, but I have learned you can't go through this world alone. At the end of my freshman and sophomore seasons, I made it through to the district tournament as an individual, meaning I had an opportunity to compete for a spot at the state tournament. Excited but equally as nervous, I ended up shooting scores that landed me toward the back half of the finalists. I didn't believe I could reach states without my team, and frankly, I didn't want to. Golf has taught me that when you fail, you forget about it and try again. So I did, but this time I had backup. I returned to the district tournament this October with high hopes. I could not have been prouder of my team and all the work they put in to get to this point, but I knew we still had a challenge ahead of us. Throughout the next eighteen holes, I received updates from Coach Creech about my teammates and our spot on the leaderboard. When I had a tough hole, I knew my teammates had my back, just like always. I came off the 14th green with a bogey and a frown. It was on this same hole that I had given up the past three district tournaments; however, this year Coach Creech didn't let that happen. While walking to the next tee box, she gave me a pep talk, hoping to boost my spirits. She ended the pep talk by telling me that Hawken had already secured a spot in the top three, getting a chance to compete in the state tournament the following week. Instantly, my frown disappeared. I had finally accomplished my goal of getting to states, and I couldn't have done it without my team.

To my fellow athletes, congratulations on your season and the successes that came along with your determination, effort, and teamwork. The early mornings and late nights may have been tough at the moment, but they paid off in the end. Coaches, thank you for putting in the extra hours behind the scenes and inspiring your athletes to go out every day and improve. To all the other seniors sitting here tonight, I remind you all that even though the fall season ending may have been bittersweet, it is important to focus on the little moments you enjoyed throughout your time with Hawken Athletics. The moments spent with friends, old and new, will be remembered for years to come, even if those moments started with a blaring alarm at 5:30 the morning of a tournament. I could not be prouder to call myself a Hawk.