As the spring athletics season begins, captains have begun taking on leadership roles for their respective teams. From assisting in running tryouts, to double checking that every player has a ride to their final destination, captains typically assume leadership positions after being with the team for a considerable amount of time. However, across all SPA sports teams, freshman Peony Steele remains the sole freshman leader, serving as girls golf team captain after two consecutive seasons.

Steele’s interest in golf began in seventh grade when her original goal was to pursue the sport only seasonally. As time flew by, Steele’s interest in golf expanded and she continued to invest more time, practicing over the summer with family. Fueled by her dad’s enthusiasm to coach her, Steele pushed herself to work on her swing and improve her game. “…It’s always been a passion in the family. Everyone in my family has golfed except me so I decided why not give it a try,” she said.
Although the sport has been an activity Steele has found joy in and taken more seriously in recent years, her plans for her golf career remain confined to playing recreationally. In addition, golf has allowed Steele to grow closer with relatives, as the sport dates back in the history of her family. “[Golf is] definitely a hobby I enjoy sharing with my loved ones, but I can’t see a competitive future for myself after high school,” she said. “I definitely sign up for fun tournaments and scrimmages in my community, though.”

An average week of practice during the golf season for Steele includes working on putting on the green, driving balls at Midwest Golf Dome, and playing short games at a course: “[On] the first day, we might go do some putting inside and then go to the dome and hit balls,” she said.
After continuing this cycle for two years, Steele has taken on the role of a captain, attributing her early leadership role to the lack of upperclassmen on the team. “We just didn’t have many juniors and seniors on the team last year,” she said. “It was just Nikola [Barkwell] and some other girls who didn’t really play in matches.”

So far, Steele has not faced many challenges in regards to her young captainship, and is optimistic about the team’s future, hoping to get closer with teammates over time. As her leadership role has only just begun, Steele has set goals for herself, mostly revolving around ensuring that each team member’s voice is always heard. “[It’s only been] our first week of practice so it’s been pretty chill, but our coaches give me opportunities to decide things,” she said. “But I also value the team’s opinions, so I’d say my goals are to make it a safe space, as well as encouraging more people to join the team.”
The girls golf team’s next match is on Thursday, Apr. 25 at Mounds Park Academy.