Author: Sant Kumar
Following the men’s golf team’s fall season, all eyes are on Mason Atkins (first-year). In his first college tournament (the Hamilton Fall Invitational in New York on Oct. 8 and 9), he finished fourth with a win over 90 more experienced players. He also placed twentieth at the Claremont Invitational on Oct. 17 and 18, where the field was more competitive and consisted of some of the best players in Division III golf.
Atkins has carried his passion for golf since he was 12, and his enthusiasm for the sport has only intensified. Now, he has reached a new level in his career. College brings a different type of intensity to the sport he loves so much. College level sports also bring a stricter practice schedule. With this new intensity and help from his teammates, Atkins hopes to reign supreme in the SCIAC.
Atkins discovered the game that has defined him when he hit a miracle shot. “I got into golf around middle school when I almost got a hole-in-one in Santa Barbara at Sandpiper Golf Course when I was 12,” Atkins said.
Over the next few years, Atkins defeated his competition on the golf course and worked his way up in high school, where he played for the varsity team. Playing for the team helped prepare Atkins for the dedication collegiate golf requires.
As a member of the Occidental team, Atkins practices Monday through Thursday early in the morning. While most Occidental students are sleeping, Atkins is working on his golf swing. This drive to be better than his opponents is key to his success on the links.
His decision to join the golf team is only one step in the life-long process of learning golf. Golf provides Atkins with the opportunity to improve himself as a person.
“I like the constant challenge of golf. As soon as I think I’ve corrected a flaw, I find a new one, then two weeks later that same thing I thought I fixed I have to correct again,” Atkins said.
However, Atkins also feels that the mental half of his game could use some work, and believes he has some personal hurdles to overcome. “Once you get past the mental beat down and frustration golf causes it is really enjoyable. Once I let go of the mental stress of practicing, the feeling I get from executing a shot I practiced or something I had to envision on the spot is like no other,” Atkins said.
With aspirations of becoming a top-tier golfer, he understands that he cannot stop working hard. He has other goals to achieve, such as better control of his emotions on the golf course. And he understands that he is not alone on his journey to stardom.
Atkins expects to visit the sports psychologist multiple times in the year, and also relies heavily on his teammates to help him get through the season and early practices.
After a winter of practicing and improving, Atkins and the golf team will resume play in the coming spring.
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