For Lila Odom, success on the golf course begins with trusting the work she has already put in.
The Cookeville senior carried that approach into the state tournament, where controlling the mental side of the game became just as important as executing each shot.
“For mental preparation, I really just went into it thinking that it was any other tournament,” Odom said. “Just really taking the stress and all of the extra thoughts out of your head because truly you can’t perform as a good golfer if you have too much clutter in your head. So really just focusing on my pre-shot routine and what I already know to do.”
Odom finished the tournament with a two-round total of 157, including a first-round 77. Her performance included three birdies, one on the eighth hole and two on the back nine.
“I would say I was already so grateful and just full of gratitude to be able to compete at that level with all of the best players in the state,” Odom said. “Even though I didn’t finish my best, I knew that every day leading up to the state tournament, whether it was months back or just the days before, I’ve done everything to get to the point that I’m at. And placing 10th just meant a lot to me because I was able to see that hard work pay off.”
Odom said increased maturity and greater trust in her coaches have helped shape her development since her freshman season.
“The Cookeville golf team is not just a team, but it really truly is a family,” Odom said. “Everyone’s inclusive and loving and just wants to help you perform to your best ability. It’s really shaped me as a person in just my everyday life and also golf is always full of so many good opportunities and relationships and I’ve found that in the last three years.”
With five freshmen joining the team this season, Odom found herself taking on a different role as one of Cookeville’s veteran players.
“So this year, I really just focused on helping them where they wanted to be helped,” Odom said. “It always is a choice to ask for help and sometimes people don’t want that, but I’ve found this year that it’s not only about mentoring them in golf, but it’s much more than that. Outside of golf, giving them rides home and just really letting them know that the golf place is a home for them.”
As Odom looks back on her time at Cookeville, the relationships she built have become an important part of what she hopes to leave behind.
“I would say in these past three years, I would just love to be remembered as, I would say, a leader, someone that they can always come to, whether it’s a teammate or as a coach or just as a friend,” Odom said. “I think everyone on the team means more to me than they know.”