Michaela Barnett
(August 24, 2011)–Something big happened over at the Winchester Country Club earlier this month — yes, it was tremendously hot, but the heat had a component that could not be overlooked, the fact that there are no Virginia High School League team competitions for female golfers, and the absence of any golf teams for girls in the local area. An interesting golf challenge was taking place, as the John Handley High School boys battled against the girls.
Things are quickly changing for the better at the school and 15-year-old Michaela Barnett is part of the lead pack. Michaela made the Varsity Boys Golf Team at John Handley High School in Winchester, V.A., this year.
She is the first African American female golfer to do so in the long history (nearly 80 years) of the school.
Moreover, Michaela has qualified for a Tournament of Champions Event that will take place on August 31st in Richmond; it is part of the Junior PGA. The high school junior, and first-year golf player, has been part of Handley’s top six in its first two tournaments.
Her coach, Tommy Arthur, who is in his eighth year as Handley’s head coach, has strong hopes for her. Michaela only started taking golf lessons last year and is showing tremendous promise.
She has a twin sister who plays volleyball and a younger sister who plays soccer, but Michaela has her eyes squarely set on golf.
“Most of the time I play rounds with other golfers in my high school and local district and those on the Youth PGA Golf Tour,” says the student who loves math and science. “I try to practice 4-5 days a week, for 3-5 hours a day at my home course, the Winchester Country Club. Most of the time I am able to keep to this schedule–except during the harsh winter months,” she states.
Michaela has caught hold of the sport rapidly, but she is still trying to master the fundamentals of the game and has had professional instruction with golf pros. Although she placed 2nd in the Youth PGA Golf Tour, she has much bigger ambitions and plans to attend college.
“I enjoy golf because of all the different things it can be; you never really do the exact same thing twice. I also like how it makes you think and challenge yourself,” she says.
“My biggest challenge, at this point, is my endurance in stressful environments–such as extreme hot or cold weather,” says Michaela, who aspires to playing top-rated courses and stays motivated by watching the professionals, while contemplating how to be exactly like them.
