From love to birdie. Court to course. Tennis to Golf. In her senior year, Katie-Grace Barney has made the switch from a racket sport to one with clubs. After deciding to give the game a try one December day with her brothers, she fell in love.

“I just started doing it on the weekends,” Barney said. “I first got my clubs in December for Christmas, and then I was like ‘okay, now I’m actually gonna play…’ Then, I went out for the team. So, I’ve been playing for like six months.”

Although Barney considers both tennis and golf to be slower-paced games, she has noticed a difference as she has made the drastic switch.

“They’re gentlemen and ladies’ games, so they’re very proper, and so that part wasn’t different, but the pace was,” Barney said. “I feel like they both kinda give me the same vibe… I could kinda put them in the same category, but golf is definitely slower… In tennis, you’re running all over the court, but in golf, you’re walking fast to your next ball.”

However, adding to the midst of a newfound pastime, Barney transferred from Oceanside Collegiate Academy to Wando High School this year. Yet, instead of feeling alienated, Barney recalled being welcomed by the golf team.

“I just like immediately felt a part of the team, and I was like I’m gonna have a lot of fun on this team for my last year,” Barney said. “The girls are all super sweet and super supportive and they were very welcoming… And so, the girls that have been there for a couple years or since middle school even, they’re just so welcoming, and I literally feel like I’ve been here for four years.”

Even though Barney is a senior and new to the sport, her teammates and coaches still appreciate her addition to their team.

“It’s kind of different being new because you could… feel left out or you could be like ‘oh, I’m a senior, I can’t do anything’, but you really can make a difference,” Barney said. “And the coaches really teach us that we’re all leaving a legacy whether we’re a new senior or we’ve been on the team for four years.”

Girls golf coach Jeffrey Emory has noticed that Barney has a unique and positive character.

“She’s very energetic. She’s a go-getter… she’s a great teammate and a great person to have around,” Emory said. “She… brings a positive attitude every day… She seems to be just a really, really good person. And that’s the kind of people we want on our teams. Somebody that I think I could ask her to do anything, and I feel like it would get done.”

Off the course, Emory believes that Barney’s personality will also lead to future successes for her.

“She has a bubbly personality. Easy to talk to, easy to get along with… she’s gonna do something… in my opinion, when she’s older that is gonna allow her to be in the public,” Emory said. “I think… she does a good job of, you know, blending in with a lot of different types of people.”

One of Barney’s fellow seniors and teammates, Analisa Rhea, has known her since middle school and is also a testament to Barney’s enthusiastic and kind nature. She even recounted her initial reaction when she realized that Barney had decided to join the golf team.

“I was like, oh my god. She’s on the golf team,” Rhea said. “She’s been a really good contribution, and it’s always fun to see her at practice because she’s so nice and sweet. She’s like always encouraging people to… do better and… forget about their mistakes.”

Similar to Barney joining golf her senior year and making numerous friendships, Rhea also encourages others to do the same.

“Golf is a great sport, and it’s a good way to meet new people and build relationships. And you can carry that sport on with you throughout your adult career,” Rhea said.