DANE FUELLING
WZBD.com
Julia Arnold is the quiet, hard-working leader of the South Adams golf team and she does it with hard work and humility, challenging herself each time she puts a club in her hand.
“If you didn’t know her background,” theorizes head coach Chris Toledo, “you’d think she was an only child on the biggest farm in the county.”
His comment is no slight to farm kids, but rather the summation of astonishment he feels about Arnold’s work ethic.
“She is always the first to warm up and the last one to leave,” says the coach. “Her voluntary practice attendance nearly doubles the rest of the team.”
While she admits that she doesn’t watch any golf on television, Arnold says that the game is challenging to her and it’s one of the reasons she loves it.
“It’s impacted my life in a lot of ways, both on and off the course,” Arnold admits. “Golf has introduced me to new people and allowed me to gain new friendships outside the season.”
The mental side of the game is what piques Arnold’s interest.
“Your mental game is very important,” she says.
Arnold has the added pressure of always being paired with the best golfer on opposing teams as part of her duties as team leader and No. 1 player.
“It’s helped me build skills to keep the right mindset for other parts of my life.”
The “other parts of her life” category is a diverse one for Julia, who enjoys simply being outside in the warm weather as part of her training for swimming in the winter. She also enjoys painting.
“It’s very relaxing and gratifying to see it when you are finished.”
Now in her third year, Arnold is a veteran at No. 1 for coach Toledo.
“Last year was a big eye opener for her,” he admits. “Turning in low scores while playing with and against some of the best players was tougher than I think she thought.”
It was in those moments that Toledo noticed Arnold focusing on her mental toughness and playing for every stroke without focusing on the end number – a classic pitfall for any golfer.
“She quickly discovered the other side of golf,” he says. “The six inches between your ears.”
Toledo believes it’s the joy of playing that has made the difference for his ace.
“If you fill that six-inch space with joy and a positive attitude, the anger and negative thoughts disappear. That joy can overcome all the other difficulties you find on a golf course.”
Arnold notes that there is not much personal glory in her choice of sports, with golf and swimming often not making big headlines.
“I think some think that it’s an easy sport and just a hobby,” she says. “I practice on my off days because I am motivated to try and achieve my goals in golf and better my game.”
The coach says Arnold gets plenty of support from her No. 1 fans, Jason & Emily Arnold – her parents. He’s also partial to Julia for another reason.
“She’s the only girl on the team who gets my jokes,” he chuckles. “She’s humble and she is clever.”
Julia Arnold has begun the year with several rounds under 50 and she is working on making her way down to bogey golf and beyond.
“Playing golf alone with just yourself and the course in front of you is a great way to clear your head and relax.”
While she may not realize it, Arnold’s leadership and attitude are also part of the moment every time she swings a club.
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