The junior, who is a three-sport athlete, led the Tigers with a 78 when they won the Division 2 South championship for third year in a row last week.
EASTON – She began learning how to play golf at the age of 8 and starting playing tournaments five years later.
So when Tate Hadges arrived at Oliver Ames High School as a freshman in the fall of 2016, she wanted to play golf for the Tigers.
Since Oliver Ames, like a majority of area high schools, does not have a girls golf team, that meant Hadges would have to join the Tigers’ boys team in order to make that happen.
So as a freshman, Hadges became the lone girl on the OA boys team and went through an adjustment process that didn’t last long.
“I was a bit timid and shy at first, but really anyone would be like that,’’ said Hadges, now a junior and a three-sport athlete. “It was just a different situation. You really don’t meet many people who have gone through the same thing. I was trying to find my way and trying to fit in.
“It was a little intimidating at first because I didn’t know what to expect. I really hadn’t played in any team golf before high school. Everyone on the team is really friendly and nice. We have a good time going out to matches.’’
Hadges, the daughter of accomplished amateur player John Hadges, has developed into one of Oliver Ames’ top players and helped the Tigers win their third straight Division 2 South championship last Monday.
She has gone from playing half of the team’s matches as a freshman in 2016 to being the No. 8 player as a sophomore to the No. 4 player this season.
And at the Division 2 South tourney at Easton Country Club, Hadges posted the low score by an Oliver Ames player (78) and was pnly two strokes off the lead.
Hadges and five other Tigers will take part in the state tournament on Tuesday at Marshfield Country Club.
Golfing with and against boys has become routine for Hadges, who has also been a varsity athlete in basketball and tennis since her freshman year at Oliver Ames.
She has gotten used to skepticism that might arise from some and just goes about her business on the golf course.
“I’ll get the look like, ‘Oh, there’s a girl on the team,’ ’’ said Hadges. “But I think it’s funny. Really a lot of teams underestimate girls because they don’t think they can hit the ball far enough or score well.
“It’s just fun going in and exceeding those expectations that you have on you (by others) and coming out on top. I feel like I’ve grown and improved since my freshman year.
“It really helps me to have that motivation to keep up. That’s really what I strive to do. I try to drive the ball as far as them and keep up with all their iron play. That’s kind of helped me be where I am today.’’
A year ago, Emily Nash of Lunenburg High was the low scorer at the Division 3 Central championships but she was not recognized by the MIAA because she was a girl playing in a boys tournament.
Hadges has been a steady scorer for Oliver Ames throughout this season and put together a solid round at the Division 2 South tourney at Easton Country Club.
“She improved this year more than anything with her mental game,’’ said OA coach Ryan Riley. “That helps when you get older. She’s a very good athlete, too.
“She’s a very strong girl, so she can hit the ball as far as most of the boys. That really helps with that aspect. She’s a good putter. She’s working on her mental approach to the game and she’s got a bright future in golf.
“My expectations are that she’s going to be our No. 1 next year. She is very comfortable with herself and she’s used to playing on the boys golf team. I think she’d prefer playing on the boys team.’’
The competition that comes with being on a boys team is something that Hadges enjoys.
She is able to consistently go against golfers who are better than the ones she’d be facing on a girls team.
“I like being in a competitive environment with a team and that kind of drew me to this,’’ said Hadges. “It’s having fun and playing in tournaments. Being competitive to me is a fun time. Really getting into those tough pressure situations and coming out hopefully in a good spot is great.
“I like playing on the boys team. That’s my personality, being able to fit in with everyone else. I like the competitiveness. The girls, if we had a team, it wouldn’t be as competitive because there aren’t as many girls playing.
“I like where I am. It worked out much better. It exceeded my expectations of what I came in thinking.’’
Hadges said she would like to elevate to Oliver Ames’ No. 1 golfer a year from now and then play the sport in college.
“I think I can get to that spot,’’ said Hadges of being No. 1. “If I keep improving, that’s a good goal that I can reach. I know hard it is to play on a boys team and not many girls have the opportunity to do that. I think that’d be a great achievement to be the No. 1 player on a boys team.
“I do want to play for a while, but I don’t know how far it’s going to get me. I am kind of focusing on having golf provide a good opportunity for me to get to a good school that I may not have been able to get in without golf. It’s a great opportunity. It’s opened so many more doors that I wouldn’t have had without it.’’
Hadges said her entire family likes to golf and credits her father with getting her interested in the sport.
John Hadges won the state amateur in 2008 and 2010 and has won multiple Southeastern Amateur and Hornblower championships in addition to other titles through a long and distinguished career.
“My dad didn’t make me play if I didn’t want to, but I found that I really like playing,’’ said Tate. “He’s helped a lot just by setting an example. I do want to follow in his footsteps and all he’s accomplished. He’s had some great achievements and I’d love to be able to do that, too.’’
Once the golf season ends, Hadges will get ready for the start of her third season on the OA girls basketball team before turning her attention to tennis next spring.
“It’s busy through the year, but for the most part, I balance my academics and everything else well,’’ she said. “There are points where it does get a bit stressful, but I think it’s worked out well. I like being busy and having limited time to get things done.’’
Jim Fenton may be reached at [email protected] Follow him on Twitter at @JFenton_ent.
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