Fresh off shoulder surgery, Elk City sophomore golfer Kaidynce Cordell has her focus locked on a comeback season. “My personal goals this year are to shoot in the 80’s and to not three putts,” she said. “I had labrum repair surgery in October, so my ultimate goal has been to get my shoulder back to being strong and my golf game consistent.”
State remains the top target, but the group wants more this year. “Our main goal every year is to make it to state, and this year, it’s to place at state,” she said. “To achieve this, we are practicing very hard and working on our things we struggle with to improve our overall game.”
What sets them apart is their drive. “Our team strength is definitely our competitive mindsets, we all want to do good and have goals to achieve,” Cordell said. “This makes our team and ourselves better.” She leads by example. “My role is playing my best to better the team and keeping everyone positive.”
New courses demand preparation. “When I play a new course, I always map out the course in advance and get an idea of what I need to do in order to play it safe,” she said. Her routine keeps her ready for 18 holes. “I always focus on stretching my body to stay mobile for long rounds,” Cordell said. “I also stay hydrated and get good sleep. A nice long prayer before each round is also necessary.”
Faith shapes her approach. “My mindset when I step on the course is to always stay positive no matter what happens, the only thing that matters is the next shot I take until the round is over,” she said. “My faith is a big part; I like to represent my school but also represent myself as a child of God.”
Late nights at tournaments create the best memories. “My favorite memories have definitely been the overnight stays for tournaments,” she said. “We always end up in one hotel room talking and laughing all night even when we know we have to tee off early.”
Her bigger impact goes beyond scores. “When I leave Elk City, I want people to know me for my kindness on and off the course,” she said. “My plans after high school are to attend college to become a nurse practitioner.”
