Linking Up to Keep Team Focus in Place
Mental approach key during quarantine
Luke Zahlmann
The team is small. Eight golfers make up the Colorado State men’s team – something which has shown itself many times in the form of inner-squad competition.
While some other teams boast 10-15 golfers, head coach Christian Newton built a smaller team, meaning less golfers are left out of bigger competitions.
The only problem is recreating the same competitive environment virtually. While Newton continues to stay updated, bringing the same fire while this far apart simply isn’t possible. Instead, they’re relying on each other for solace.
“My goal is just to stay connected to them,” Newton said. “We can’t really require anything, so we just try to check in with them frequently. We just try to make them feel like they’re not lost, not forgotten about and that we will get through this on the other side.”
The good news is a standout sophomore like Davis Bryant can get his work in on an actual course. Colorado hasn’t imposed the same harsh bans which several other states and countries have.
Therein lies the bad news as well. Part of the team is currently in a country or state which doesn’t support the same type of recreational activity.
If every member of the team was able to keep playing, staying active and competitive would be easier – sending videos and pictures of their scores, swings and workouts would all be a means for keeping things competitive.
“You’ve got the two Colorado kids that are here, so they’re obviously able to play,” Newton said. “Then you’ve got two other players who are held over here and they’re able to practice, but the other four are in places they can’t play.”
Since playing and pinning golfers against each other isn’t possible, Newton has sought the help of outside sources.
As part of their weekly Zoom meetings, the coach has brought on Martin Laird, a professional golfer, as well as donors and other leaders in the industry. The message which seems to keep being hounded is resilience.
None of the golfers can control the situation they’ve been put in, but the voices of professionals and adults who have already dealt with strife can put things into perspective. Even lessons which will be useful after the pandemic ends have been a product of conversation.
The most important thing we’re trying to do is check in and make sure everyone is doing okay and be there for one another.Davis Bryant, Men's Golfer
“One thing that sticks out with what Martin Laird talked about was he really emphasized the mentality of, ‘It doesn’t matter who you are, or your actual ability is, you need to believe in yourself,’” Bryant said. “He talked a lot about his experience with other PGA Tour players and what the difference is between himself versus someone like Rory McElroy who’s basically dominated the last 10 or so years.”
Laird also brought lessons like an emphasis on short game. The one thing professionals have taught the team has been the need for reliable shots close to the pin. If they master it, according to Laird, even the “bad days are good days.”
The lesson, in many ways, spans past golf.
Newton doesn’t have answers many of the questions he’s asked. He doesn’t know when they’ll be able to return to campus, nor does he have any idea when the world when get back to how it was a few short months ago.
The one thing he can supply is an answer to everyday struggles: positivity. Helping him out is mental health counselor Jimmy Stewart. The two have created an avenue for venting frustrations, asking for help and receiving words of encouragement to get through those bad, non-golf days.
“I think, mentally, it just sucks,” Bryant said. “The most important thing we’re trying to do is check in and make sure everyone is doing okay and be there for one another.
“I know some of the guys have reached out to (Jimmy) and a few have reached out to our golf fellowship partner. I’ve really never talked to someone that has a job for mental health and when you have those bad days, it’s someone to go talk to. I love talking to Jimmy.”
With all the resources around the eight golfers under Newton, banding together even more has been easier.
The competition can wait.