Why We Compete: Part 1: Amanda Steinhagen

As the only girl on the golf team, Senior Amanda Steinhagen is driven to prove herself in a male dominated sport.

S itting in the cafeteria wearing her Redskins jersey, she looks like any other student. Nothing sets her apart as the top female golfer in the state.
“I like the fact that [golf] is an individual sport,” Steinhagen said. “I like team sports but I’m not good at them. [In golf] you still have to learn to work together. It’s not just all about you.”
Beyond the fame of Tiger Woods, little attention is given to the sport Steinhagen has come to love. Many debate whether golf even warrants a status next to basketball, football and swimming.
“People have their opinions,” Steinhagen said. “Some think golf is really boring to watch on TV and I agree. However, I don’t know how you would not be able to consider [golf] a sport.”
Though traditionally a masculine sport, Steinhagen has defied stereotypes. Her determination to remain competitive with the opposite gender has never been a challenge.
“Being the only girl on the team is a good break from my normal season where I’m around girls,” Steinhagen said.
However, golf has become more than hobby for Steinhagen. It is a year-round commitment to winning, one that started at a young age and that has gradually intensified.
“My sister, who was in high school at the time, played a little golf,” Steinhagen said. “I wanted to tag along; I was about six. I was about nine years old when I won my first match. I play in national tournaments during the summer and a couple during the winter. I don’t play with a team in the spring, summer and winter. However, there are two tournaments where I play on a team with other top girls in the state.”
Playing year-round gives Steinhagen a mix of playing in a team and in an individual setting. In the end, golf is understanding limits.
“The greatest challenge I face is not pushing myself too hard,” Steinhagen said. “You can burn out really easily. I take breaks in between tournaments because in the summer I’m constantly playing and might have one day of break. I’ll stay in the hotel and relax rather than go out. This past summer I went to Florida, California, Connecticut, Idaho, the Carolinas and all over Virginia.”
As one of the best, Steinhagen is well aware of the pressures that surround her. In a competitive setting, one can become easily distracted.
“My strong work ethic has helped me stay focused on my goals,” Steinhagen said. “I do put a lot of pressure on myself to do well. Being the top girl [in the state] everyone expects you to do well. I put a lot of pressure on myself at states this year and I ended up 11th. I think if I had just stayed more relaxed I would have done better. Even though 11th out of 12 is still good it was a letdown. I was hoping for top five.”
Despite her success and busy schedule, Steinhagen realizes it’s important to remain calm and level-headed. Like a game of chess, golf is all about analysis.
“Golf is all mental,” Steinhagen said. “You can mess up one hole and then dig down and come back. It’s all about how mentally tough you are, how far you can push yourself.”

By Daphne Martschenko