Rachel Sines Golf, Poland

Without hesitation, Poland’s Rachel Sines will say that her favorite golf course is Ohio State’s Gray Course in Columbus.

It’s home to the girls state championship tournament and Sines has been a two-time participant. In 2011, she was on the Bulldogs’ team that finished second in the state. This year, she was the school’s first individual qualifier.

“It’s a lot of fun,” Sines said. “A lot of people can be up tight but its really great to be there with your team. That loosens you up and allows you take in the whole experience. It wasn’t the same being by yourself.”

Still, she improved by 13 strokes in the state match for her junior year. She shot a two-day total of 177 to finish in 24th place.

“Just being from Poland puts a big target on your back,” Sines said. “It makes you nervous to keep your spot in the bigger meets. But with Coach [Judy] Young and all the girls, we worked hard for that recognition.”

Sines didn’t start playing golf until eighth grade and was a backup on the Poland team in her freshman year.

“Walking around the course, I really knew I wanted to go back,” she said. “I just worked hard.”

In the offseason, she trains at the Golf Dome and the basement of Poland Medical Center where Dr. Passarello has set up a course with putting green and driving range.

She’s gotten contact from colleges and wants to be a physician’s assistant.