Golf is an individual sport, competitions are traditionally contested over a 72-hole stroke play event; however, team golf is totally different. For example, in College Golf you are effectively playing two events at the same time. You compete as an individual against other players in the field including your teammates, and simultaneously you are part of a five player team where your individual score counts towards a team score. 

My experience with team golf came from competing for Simon Fraser University, Canada’s only NCAA team, from January 2017 until COVID struck in March of 2020. I spent the summer between my first and second year working really hard to be prepared for the fall of 2017. I loved being a member of the SFU golf team. I loved the players, the coaches, the school, the campus; all of it. I was so proud to be a part of the athletics program and I wanted to contribute to the program’s success. 

The first event of the year was in Olympia, Washington. I was so excited and relishing the opportunity to compete. The first day, we competed over 36-holes and both the team and I played well, putting us within a few shots of the lead heading into the final round. That night all I could think about was what it would be like to lift the trophy as a team. 

We were paired with Western Washington University (WWU) and I was in the second last group. I knew if I went out and beat the WWU player in my group I would have done my job for the team. I spent so much time aware of everything around me and concentrating on how to beat him that it backfired; I lost sight of what was within my control and I played poorly. I became increasingly and visibly frustrated as I tried to force a good score.  

WWU ended up winning the event and we finished second. I struggled to be myself because I was so focused on everyone and everything else during the round. I felt as though I had not only let myself down but also my entire team. We had a chance to win an event and I had not done my job; it was devastating. 

My coach pulled me aside after the event and we had a sobering conversation about what it takes to be an effective and productive member of the team. I needed to take care of the things that I could actually influence and I needed to make sure I represented the team well. Win or lose the way I carried myself on and off course had an impact. 

Fortunately, we started with back-to-back events so we had the chance to get right back at it again. With a new perspective, I was determined not to let history repeat itself. I played well individually and the team also played well and we went into the final day just behind the 36-hole leaders. I was teeing off in the penultimate group again, just as I had the tournament prior. 

On the first tee I could see the teams we were competing with and I had to remind myself that all I could control was my behaviour and approach. Throughout the day I had to continue to remind myself that my teammates’ scores, and my opposition’s score were completely out of my hands.

The final day was intense and SFU was battling for the win with multiple schools. I needed to acknowledge that we were in the hunt for the win and then move on so I could execute the shot in front of me. I plotted my way around the course sticking to my gameplan and trusting that would help me succeed. 

I birdied the 16th hole and got to 5-under par for the day; I knew we had to be close to the team lead. I made par on 17 and when I got to the Par-3 18th hole at Bellingham Golf and Country Club, I was as nervous as I had been all day. I knew if I finished strong the team would be in a good position for the win. I could still feel the disappointment of losing the last event and was excited for my opportunity at redemption. 

I hit a 5-iron from 205 to about 25-feet and as I walked to the final green my assistant coach came and met me. He helped me assess the putt and I hit one of the best putts of my life. As the ball traveled the last 3-feet it continued to slide left to right and fell into the center of the cup; when it went in I knew we had won as a team and I finished the day 6-under par and 10-under for the tournament. We had not only captured the team victory but I also secured my first collegiate win!

Team golf is very different from individual golf. You feel pressure in a different way and the pride you feel representing the people you are competing with can be almost overwhelming. Strangely though, it can be overwhelming in a positive way. You begin to feel a sense of responsibility to your teammates. If you are careless or wasteful with your time training, preparing or competing then you are putting yourself and your team at risk of not reaching the goals you set. The connection with the team helped push me in training to continue to improve; however, if not managed properly it could become a challenge to manage on course.

It was easy for my mind to wander to my teammates and competitors and get distracted by all the possibilities. For me, realizing that these distractions were inevitable allowed me to identify how I could help the team be successful; take care of what I could control and stay present.

I always loved golf because in competition where I finished was entirely my responsibility. Win or lose it was on me and my performance that determined that. With team golf there are so many more scenarios and you understand not only your own skill but also the skill and dedication of your teammates. There is a sense of comradery and responsibility to each other that goes beyond the sport. You push each other to be more capable than you would on your own. You also cheer and hope for other people’s success more than any other time. 

When I was competing as a professional I still had an eye on SFU and how the team did. That was still my team and the players had an indirect but significant relationship to me. I am proud to have contributed to many team victories in my time at SFU, and I got to represent Canada in 4 different team events. Each win meant more to me than any individual victory or success that I had; and each loss hurt that much more. 

That’s the magic of team sport and it’s no different in golf. When it comes to team golf you become more than just your score. You represent your club, or your team, university, country and in my opinion most importantly, your teammates. That larger identity changes the dynamic and competition becomes even more exciting and meaningful. 

The next time you’re fortunate enough to represent something more than yourself, acknowledge the importance of the circumstance and then move on so you can perform your best. Be present and mindful to set yourself and your teammates up for success; that’s what worked for me.