In 1998, OHS golf teams started up, and this year Ava Ross (9) took the win and made her the JV female player to win the Lindbergh High School Tournament. 

“I’m very hard on myself when I play,” Ross said. “I always feel like I have to do my best, so I hold myself to a higher standard when I play.” 

Ross said that when she played varsity, it challenged her more than the JV team. 

“The best thing about playing is the fun and the teammates. I’ve made so many new friends through Junior PGA and Oakville,” Ross said. 

This year, the OHS golf team had nine seniors, and Ross said that she was really able to connect with them and look up to them for advice. She added that the biggest impact was her teammates and how they helped her navigate having golf, after school activities and juggling school matches and other activities. She said that she really looked to them for advice on how to juggle it all and not get too stressed.

Ross just finished up her freshman year, and she said that even though winning does feel good, it’s the memories and the teammates that really make the season even better. 

“I’ve been playing since I was five and my love for the sport has grown more and more,” Ross said.

Ross has played in a lot of tournaments but one thing she remembers is that you can’t let others judge you for the sport you love. Ross believes that if you love it and you want to do it don’t let other people stand in your way of that thing you love.

“Don’t worry about what other people think about playing golf because it’s a mental sport and a lot of people don’t realize that,” Ross said.

Ross wants to pursue her love of golf throughout college, and from there she will see where it takes her. In the meantime, Ross had one piece of advice for her fellow golf lovers or even other sports lovers.

“Don’t worry about what others think of you or your sport,” Ross said, “really just enjoy it and have fun.”