How Sydney Ater, Adena's lone female golfer, is striving for greatness

FRANKFORT − To Sydney Ater, golf is second nature.

It's more common to find the junior on a golf course than away from it. When Adena's golf season is in full swing, she'll practice six nights a week. Her only off-night comes on Friday so she can attend Adena football games. She'd play year-round if the weather in Southern Ohio permitted. It's a commitment that her father, Brad, instilled in her when he introduced her to golf when she was seven years old.

That commitment has garnered her plenty of recognition during her junior year at Adena. As the Warriors' lone female golfer, Ater has been able to compete in girls' matches as well as play for the boys' team.

It's a strange balance to maintain, but Ater has kept on her feet. She has the achievements to prove it. Ater became the first female golfer in school history to earn a match medal after shooting a 38 in a Scioto Valley Conference girls match in late August. Even when playing on the boys team, she was often the runner-up for match medals and provided consistent low scores that the Warriors relied upon.

"It's something I got used to," Ater said. "I was playing the boys since I was in sixth grade. I really enjoy the boys I play with on my team. They really welcomed me and they treated me like one of them. It's kind of weird being the only girl, but I got used to it."

Ater boasts a natural talent that's difficult for her peers to replicate. Her father noticed it when she was young, and he pushed her to develop her skills. Throughout elementary school she competed in U.S. Kids Golf tournaments as well as attending camps to improve her swing. When she wasn't competing in tournaments, she and her father would hit balls in her neighbor's backyard.

Despite her knack for golf, Ater never realized her passion for it until she reached high school. She'd largely played by herself aside from competing in tournaments. But when she joined the golf team in her freshman year, she was able to compete alongside players her own age on a regular basis.

Her support network grew as well. Adena head coach Jason Depugh picked up on her talent soon after she joined the team. He took her under his wing and sought to expedite her growth as a player.

"She was very easy to coach," Depugh said. "She's probably been the most experienced player that I've had. I was actually kind of timid to coach her because I knew the natural talent she had, just from her playing at a young age. But anything I tried to work with her, she completely adapted to. No questions, nothing."

The biggest challenge Depugh faced in growing Ater's game was building her confidence. Although her talents set her apart, she felt she wouldn't match up with her teammates when her first high school match came around. Depugh shot down those fears, and reassured her that she had the ability to play alongside the boys team.

It worked. As her time with Adena continued, Ater's confidence on the course grew and her scores continued to improve. She only shot above a 45 three times this season, and her highest score in a nine-hole match was a 49.

Ater still struggles with the mental aspect of her game. It's the one part of golf she hasn't nailed down yet. A bad shot can shake her confidence, but the junior has made efforts to keeping an even keel in matches. Depugh often helps bring her back down to earth, and his advice helps her move on to the next shot.

"Whenever I have a bad shot, I usually just kind of blow up afterwards," Ater said. "I just really need to focus on keeping calm, forgetting the last shot and thinking about the next one."

Still, Ater's gift for golf has carried her far this season. Her ultimate goal since joining the Warriors has been to reach the state tournament, and she came within reach of achieving that goal this season. She qualified for the girls Division II district tournament, and she took home 14th place after posting a 94 over 18 holes at Pickaway Country Club.

But she's not satisfied. Not until she makes it to the state tournament.

Depugh is confident Ater can make it. Her unparalleled work ethic has carried her to new heights this season. She reached districts this season with a support network guiding her. Ater has a forte for building on her past experiences. The next logical step is reaching the state tournament.

After all, golf is like second nature to Ater.

"She will make it to state next year," Depugh said. "She has the drive, and she has the willpower to make it to state. Her work ethic is, by far, more than I have ever seen for anybody on any team, and I believe that."

This article originally appeared on Chillicothe Gazette: Sydney Ater, Adena's lone female golfer, is striving for greatness