Sidney O'Dey '24 Recruiting Profile

Unlike many high school golfers, I have not been playing golf for a significant amount of time. My whole family plays golf regularly, but I did not get into golf until my 8th-grade year. In March 2020, when the world shut down, I started trying to teach myself how to golf without having any previous understanding of the game or how to play it. At the time, this proved itself to be much more difficult than I had anticipated therefore, I started taking private lessons. Within the Summer of 2020, I took many private lessons from Adams Central Alum and 4-time state qualifier, John Pohlson. Within my freshman year, I earned a medal at all but two meets and qualified for the Nebraska Class B State Girls Golf Championships shooting a 90 and placing second at districts. 

Throughout the summer of 2021, I played in six tournaments for the Nebraska Junior Golf Tour and also played in the ladies league at my local golf course, Southern Hills. For my sophomore season, Coach Rod Hartman joined as the assistant coach of our girls' golf team. Throughout the season, Coach Hartman worked with me and taught me many new things about the game of golf, putting me at the level that I played at all season. Within the season, I obtained a medal at every meet I attended and once again qualified for the State Championships in Scottsbluff, only this time I placed first at districts shooting an 87. I went on to place 11th at state to wrap up my sophomore season. In my Junior year, Coach Hartman moved to the Head Coaching position and Coach Sara Knaub took over the Assistant Coaching position. My Junior year went smoothly as well. You may view all my scores and placings in a link I have listed on my profile or in my "Events" section.

When I am not able to be on the course, I spend a lot of time watching YouTube videos trying to learn new things about the golf swing and golf in general. I have always committed a lot of time to making myself the best golfer I can be at every chance I get. I have taken on many new responsibilities in school activities as well. These roles keep me busy most of the time apart from holding down two part-time jobs and being a full-time student.

I am involved in many different organizations and groups at my school including the National Honors Society, FBLA, Skills USA, Media Productions (STRIV), and publications. In 2022 and 2023, I was elected to be the Vice President of our FBLA chapter at Adams Central which brings many new responsibilities. I have also maintained a 96-point grade point average or higher throughout all five semesters in high school, earning the Academic All-State Award in all years of high school thus far (2020-2022).

Academics have always been my main priority. I have always done very well at keeping my grades up and getting assignments turned in on time throughout the golf season. With being gone for sometimes up to three days a week, sometimes managing schoolwork as well as golf can be challenging, but I have and will always prioritize school. 

I am thrilled to see what the next chapter in my life holds and super excited to collaborate with college coaches about my future!