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Zionsville Community High School (ZCHS) freshman Taylor Snively played her first round of golf around the age of 7, and she has been working diligently to better her game ever since.
She tried out for the golf team at ZCHS and recently led the Eagles team to a state title – the team’s first since 2017. The tournament, held on October 4 and 5 at Prairie View Golf Club, was a milestone moment in Taylor’s golf career.
She scored an even-par 144, contributing to Zionsville’s overall score of 627. The team performed exceptionally well, with a first-round total of 315 and 312 in round two. Taylor’s individual win was a historic moment, as she became only the third freshman to win the individual title and the first individual champ to play for the team champions since 1999. “It was a lot of fun with some great competitors,” she says.
Taylor’s love for golf is palpable in her daily practice routine. She is determined to master the sport and has her eyes set on the top. Her fondness for golf stems from her early victories over her brothers, which is a feeling she still cherishes. Taylor’s commitment to the game is unwavering, and she plans to continue playing golf throughout high school and college.
“Every single time you play, you get different shots,” Taylor says. “So it’s a little bit of a mental battle. I like the challenge being different each time I play.”
Taylor’s mother, Stacy Snively, is proud of her daughter’s work ethic when it comes to practicing and striving for greatness on the golf course. Stacy says her daughter has an admirable passion for the game, and can’t wait to see what she does throughout her next three years in high school and in college. Taylor says she hasn’t decided on a college yet (after all, she’s only a freshman), but she hopes to attend a school in the south to escape the bleak Indiana winter weather.
“She’s so competitive and hard-working,” Stacy says. “Her passion to get better is what really drives her. She loves to practice her craft. A few years ago I picked her up from the range, and she mentioned to me that she wanted to get really, really good at golf, which she already was, but I told her I was worried she would get burned out. She hasn’t yet because of her passion for it.”
Even during the colder months when outdoor golf is not an option, Taylor’s dedication does not waver. She continues to train with the team and hone her skills at an indoor golf simulator. Her resilience in the face of challenges is a testament to her determination and strength.
“The team has worked hard all season long,” Taylor says. “I’m happy for all of us as a team.”
