Meet Marion golfer Grace Roper
MARION, Ill. — Marion High School junior golfer Grace Roper, coming off a challenging sophomore season where she competed alone, set the example for her complete team this year by earning match medalist in the South Seven Conference Preview Tournament to start the season. Based on her early season numbers, by year’s end she is poised to make a run at an individual state tournament appearance.
“I want to advance in the regionals and sectionals and qualify for the IHSA 2A state tournament in Decatur,” said Roper. “Our sectional is historically one of the most difficult sectionals in Illinois, which includes the state’s top teams and individuals. I am prepared to compete with the best in the state to earn a spot at this year’s state tournament.”
Roper, now 16, has been playing golf since she was 4 years old. She started competitive golf at the age of 8. She still has time to emphasize academics, and currently ranks fourth in her class of 248. She also played volleyball and basketball in junior high, but decided to concentrate on golf in high school. “Golf is not only a game of skill, but a mental game as well,” Roper said. “Golf can be unpredictable depending on weather conditions, the speed of the greens and condition of the course. My biggest challenge has been stabilizing my mental game.”
Roper says that means not dwelling on bad shots or hard holes, but instead concentrating on preparing to make the next shot.
“I have had to mature as a person and as an athlete and realize a bad shot or a bad hole does not determine the outcome of the game,” she said. According to Roper, she likes playing golf because it’s a lifelong sport. “I can play golf after college and into retire- ment,” she said. “Golf is a wonderful way to meet like-minded athletes and make lifelong friends. ”That is one of the benefits of having a team surrounding her this year. “Being on a team has helped me build close relationships,” she said. “It has taught me that the struggles I have on the golf course are shared with many others as well.”
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