Student strikes balance between music, golf

LEVI Watson isn’t like other kids Barry Kolar has coached.

Watson, heading into his junior year, is expecting to contend as a top player for the University golf squad following the departure of a strong senior class who held three of the top four spots in the lineup.

As Watson aims for fairways and greens when this fall, he will often be pulling double duty as he shares golf with another passion -- music.

“I started with orchestra in fifth grade, originally with the viola. I switched to bass in sixth grade,” he said. “I started focusing on golf more during the summer before my freshman year, but I had played a little before.”

The duel hobbies can be time consuming, but Watson believes it has helped him develop better time management skills.

“Sometimes the time requirements conflict with each other, and I have to plan ahead on how to use my time,” he said. “But I enjoy all of them so it doesn’t seem too tough.”

The music aspect is what separates Watson from Kolar’s other athletes. It’s also what Kolar believes can help drive Watson to success.

“The study of music is a discipline that has it’s own reward. It is my experience that formal music education benefits the student in other areas,” he said. “Golf is as much a mental game as it is a physical game. Mental toughness is necessary to be successful in this game and the study of music can help that.”

Kolar added that Watson is always looking to become more a well- rounded individual and gain a cerebral advantage. This is what Kolar feels has helped him develop on the course.

“Levi is very intelligent student, and is also a very smart golfer,” he said.

Watson values the repetition that both his time on the driving range as well as him time in the orchestra provide, and believes it is valuable in drilling in the mentality that muscle memory is a must in both trades.

“Learning the value of practice and repetition in both sports and music has been a helpful crossover,” he said.

While working with the bass, Watson is a two- time performer in the WVU honor orchestra as well as a selection to the 2018 West Virginia all- state orchestra. On the course, Watson was a regular member of the 2017 starting lineup, finishing fifth on the team.

“Based on the scores Levi shot in practice rounds and in matches last year, he would have an approximate handicap index of 18- 20,” Kolar said. “With some work this summer, I can see him dropping to about a 10- 12 index, maybe even lower, by the start of the season.”

As the summer nears, so does the start of long days on the fairways and greens for UHS golf. Watson is excited to continue working into the preseason, picking up where last year’s squad left off with hopes of a state tournament run.

“I was fortunate to get to play with some great underclassmen that helped me with my game and helped make last season very fun,” he said. “My focus this summer will be to work to improve my short game and all around consistency.”

“This year, we will be a young team and I’m hoping to fill the gap left by our seniors and help my team have a great season.”