Leave With a Bang

The wind is blowing. My eyes water. The last day of the 5A State Championship is here. It's cold but I don't mind. I play better while others think of excuses. I am one shot back but not a bit worried. I run through my game plan again and again in my head watching the other girls tee off. I try and track down my team on the course. We are two ahead with one day to play. If we hold on, it will be Stephanie and my fourth state championship. We have had our eyes on this the whole year. Our team has overcome so many things to be here, to be in this position. I look behind me and see my support system for the last 7 years. My mom, my dad, Keith, Trav, Cheryl, Jenny. They are all here. This is my day. I am so confident nothing fades me. My group is called to the tee, the wind still blowing fiercely as if trying to test me. My gaze softens, my head clears, I reach for my ever trusty 5-wood and put my hands on the club. I take a practice swing and I feel effortless power. I look at my competitors. I can see they are nervous and uneasy, but I am not; not here. Not on our home course. Not anywhere for that matter. All the work I've put in in the last 7 years has been tedious and time consuming but this makes it all worth it. My heart starts to race. I step onto the first tee and they announce my name. All the practice, the running, the mental work, its all time to put it together and make a solid exit from my high school golf career. No more playing in anyone's shadow, no waiting for my turn because today it is here. I line up my shot, breathe softly, step into the zone and a try to hit my first shot with everything I've got. The ball comes off the club with a pow and everyone claps. And we're off, the round starts. Its game time.