By Emily Fox · Editor-in-Chief
Grove City women’s golfer junior Lauren Kardos claimed the top spot on the podium last Saturday, Sept. 6 at the Thiel Invitational.
Kardos beat out 46 other players by shooting 76, her personal best, and winning a scorecard playoff against Geneva’s top player, clinching herself the medal. The team ended the match in fourth place out of seven teams with a combined score of 381.
“Winning the Thiel Invitational meant so much to me because I have put so much work into my game, and this helped me to realize that hard work does pay off … I am so beyond blessed that I have been given the opportunity to represent my school and to use the gifts God has given me to play this sport,” Kardos said.
“Golf can sometimes feel individual, but our team pushes and supports one another to be the best version of ourselves that we can be, both on and off the course. This medal reflects that encouragement and the way we will continue to build each other up for the rest of the season,” she said.
Head Coach Bradley Isles commented on how Kardos’s strong mental game and grit has led to her success on the course. “Lauren has experience playing in big pairings with some of the top players in the conference over her career, and Saturday’s score really shows she can compete at a high level. She has the ability to make rounds like this become more common,” he said.
“One of Lauren’s best traits is that she doesn’t dwell on past results. She’s able to move on from a bad round and focus on what’s in front of her. That’s not easy to do. In spring PACs, she followed up a tough round with a 79. Her score at the YSU Kickoff wasn’t what she hoped for to start this fall season, so she dialed in, put in time on the range and at the course during the week to prepare for the Thiel Invite. It paid off,” Isles said. “We’re excited to see Lauren and the rest of the team continue to improve over the next month.”
Kardos shot three birdies over the course of the match. She finds that her mindset has been critical to improving her game and continuing to become a better player.
“Going into the match, I made sure to remind myself that there are a lot of things in life worth getting upset over – and a chip I chunked or a putt I left short is not one of them. I have come a long way with the mental aspect of golf, and I am trying to keep perspective on the course. To me, that means reminding myself that golf is just one part of my life. Of course I want to play well, but I do not want every shot to control my emotions. If I hit a bad shot, I try to just remind myself that it does not define me,” Kardos said.
Kardos’s efforts, along with those of the rest of the Wolverines, earned the team fourth place overall. Senior Bekah Gaehring shot 97 and tied for 18th place. Sophomore Gabrielle Kinneer took 23rd shooting 100. Teammates Sydney Goettel and Madylin Galbreath both shot 108, tying for 37th.
Grove City golfers competing in this invitational as individuals also found success on the course. Senior Julianna Jacobs shot 103 earning 30th, freshman Mackenzie Boley finished after her shooting 104 and sophomore Alyssa Shaw shot 112 earning 40th.
“We have some significant competitions coming up over the next few weeks and, as coaches, we feel we can be one of the top teams in the conference with our experience. We need to keep working on being more consistent from round to round and limit unforced mistakes, but we can get there,” Isles said.
The Wolverines will hit the course again next Monday at the Saint Vincent Invitational.
“As a team, my prayer is that we continue to practice with purpose, to compete with integrity, focus and excellence, to build a team culture of friendship and support and to glorify God through the game of golf,” Coach Amy Smith said.
