Augusta, Ga. - For Sara Adams, golf was not her first sport. Actually, a far cry from it. Despite growing up in a family where Adams' dad played, she did not. Instead, her first passion was found on a motorcycle. Now, Adams has given up the bike for golf clubs and has become the leader of the Augusta golf team. 

Her love of bikes and motocross started around the age of eight. Adams had friends in the neighborhood who competed and she joined in and would travel most weekends to race. She actually gives credit to riding for some of her success in golf. 
 

"It taught me to be tough, that's for sure," said Adams. "It's a brutal sport and the mental side of things I think are similar to golf because they are very independent. It's you, and you're in control, and it taught me a lot about myself." 

She had quite a bit of success riding and competed in national events against some of the best the country has to offer. She compared the start of a race to standing over the golf ball on the first tee. 

"It's trusting in yourself and being able to think while your heart races. It is something that makes elite athletes," Adams said. 

After a bad crash one summer, Adams parents told her that was enough. 



She played other sports in high school and it wasn't until she suffered a serious knee injury when she made the move to golf. It was just prior to that she and her family attended the first Augusta National Women's Amateur and that too piqued her interest. 

It was late in her high school years when golf became her focus and she was all-in. There were plenty of opportunities, especially living in Whispering Pines, North Carolina, so Adams was able to take advantage of them. 

After spending a couple of years at Appalachian State, she transferred to Augusta and hasn't looked back.

Adams had a solid season a year ago and now, in her last year of competing, has already registered a victory at the Tiger Classic in Clemson, S.C. to start the season. She has elevated her game and part of that has been from her mental approach.

"I started working with a sports psychologist and it has helped me put golf in perspective a lot with the mentality of it all," said Adams.

Golf is a mentally draining sport and she now has even more "tools" at her disposal to handle any situation. 

Even her sports psychologist has said her brain is wired differently than most women her age, and part of that may be attributed to her motocross days.
 

Being one of two seniors on the team, Adams has had to step up and become a leader. It's a role she is use to and isn't going to shy away from.

"Definitely a natural leader. Teams I played on in high school, I was a captain or leader so I'm use to that position. I think I also naturally lead by example," added Adams.

This is her final year wearing the Augusta University colors and plans on Qualifying School next fall to see if she can play professionally. While she is relatively new to the game, she now enjoys it as much as ever. Adams also knows there are good times and bad that come with it and it's all how you handle the ride. 

"Success is not a smooth path, it's looks like a roller coaster," said Adams. "Just staying motivated in the low times and in rounds where you did not play like I should. But right now, I'm playing good golf and hopefully keep it going and be confident about that."