ODUSports.com asked the Monarch women's golf team to describe their most memorable round in their own words.
Leah Onosato, Jr - Kumamoto, Japan
My most memorable round took place over two years ago, in 2018. I was s17 years old, and it was my last year to play golf as a high-school student. It was less than a year before I would leave Japan for the U.S. to play golf at ODU. The shot that I remember the most is my very last: the shot that I holed out with. It was literally less than a foot, a par putt to finish my round even par. My hands shook so much. I remember my hands shaking. They shook more than any other shot I could remember hitting in my competitive career. I sank it, and though I didn't know at the time, it became my winning putt. The reason this round remains with me is the context. The day before, I had finished in the lead, so I was playing the second and final day of the West Japan 15-18 Final Qualifier for the IMG World Championships in the last group with the other top 3 girls. All day it was a battle of patience, witnessing the other contenders in action, desperately, desperately wanting to qualify, never daring to voice how desperately I wanted to win the tournament rather than just barely make it in second place as I had done the year before. On top of all the self-applied pressure and the pressure and attention of those who knew I had been 1 out of the 4 in Japan to qualify the previous year, I had another reason I wanted to qualify and play the Championships in the United States. At this point, I had yet to commit to a college, and needed the opportunity to play in the States in front of college coaches. With all this riding on my back, after sinking that one-footer, all I could think was: Whether or not I win, whether or not I qualify, I played well; I never gave up, I committed, persevered, and played well. I nearly cried with relief that it was over. To this day, I remember how my hands shook over that one-foot putt and I take pride in knowing that I didn't break under the pressure.
Jana Melichova, Jr. - Czech Republic
My most memorable round was last year at the European Ladies' Amateur Championship in England. This four-round tournament is one of the most important and most valued of the season and I tried to prepare myself as best as I could for the links course that I dislike very much. The first day I had one of the best rounds and shot 68 (-4) on a tough course and finished second. Not a bad start for the tournament. I kept thinking about beating 9th position because that is the Czech record form the year before. The next two rounds were quite solid where I shot 72 (even par) both days. Pretty stable. The very last day I went on the first tee, keeping the fifth position and playing in the second final flight with the best of the best. Behind only by a couple shots I was extremely nervous and excited for my first tee shot. Final flights have usually fans walking with them because that is where you see the best golf and excitement. It was a big fight between the course, me and my head. I did not play as good as previous days and I did not beat the record, but it was one of the happiest and saddest days ever. Being so close and playing so good I finished the tournament tied 17th and feeling like it is about having everything or being satisfied with what you achieved. Surprisingly, I chose the second option this time and walked away with the a great experience.
Madison Corley, Sr. - Essex Junction, Vt.
One memorable golf experience I have had was when I was 12 years old. I was playing my home course at the time with my father, and on the 3rd hole it was a 123-yard par 3 and I got my first hole in one! Not only did I get a hole in one by myself, but my father and best friend had witnessed the whole thing! This memory is a memory I will never forget because I can remember saying "dad there is no way that it's in the hole" he said come look! And there it was in the hole! I was so happy jumping up and down crying of happiness! I am so thankful to be able to play the game of golf!
Noemie Sudron, Sr. - Rouen, France
One of my most memorable round in my three years of college career is a round in Furman during the fall season 2018. I remembered the conditions were really hard: pretty bad weather, a lot of wind and pretty fast greens. A lot of scores were really high compared to the day before. Furman is not my favorite course of the college tournaments that we played and to be honest it is a hard course to play because the fairways are hard, and the greens are very fast especially during September (when we play the tournament). This day I had pretty good feelings and I was confident about my game. I keep my score even towards the end of the round. Even if it was not my best score in my college career, this day stayed in my mind because I fought to keep a good score for my team during this hard day of golf when a lot of teams and players did not.
Pilar Muguruza, So. - Argentina
My most memorable round was during my first golf event in college at Furman University. I didn't have the best start, but the last day was a golf round that I'll always remember. I shot three-under-par in a demanding course with narrow fairways and fast greens. I chose this round as the most memorable because it helped me for the next tournaments. I proved myself that I could do it no matter the bad results from previous rounds and that I can always contribute for the team. As a team we did an extraordinary came back the last day of the tournament. That round also increased my confidence on my game for the rest of the season.
My Most Memorable Round
