Annabelle C. ’25 Shares Her Love of Golf With Eighth Graders

This spring, Annabelle C. ’25 brought her passion for golf and her leadership on the course to a new audience—Poly’s eighth-grade students. With over 12 years of experience and four years playing for Poly’s Boys’ Varsity Golf Team, Annabelle launched a golf clinic designed to spark interest in the sport and grow the future of Poly’s golf program.

“Golf truly has shaped my character and made me the person I am today,” Annabelle shared. “That being said, I have always wanted to grow the game, and I thought what better place to start than Poly. The high school team has always been really small. So, I wanted to help get students involved and interested earlier in hopes of sparking an interest in them.”

Poly’s Upper School golf team has historically been small, and Annabelle saw an opportunity to instill enthusiasm and confidence in younger students before they even enter high school. Her clinic aims to provide exposure to golf in a welcoming, low-pressure environment where beginners can learn the basics while having fun.

The idea took root when Annabelle shared her vision with Coach Caragher, who immediately supported the initiative and encouraged her to reach out to Coach Strauss, a key figure in Poly’s Middle School athletics. “Coach Strauss was incredibly welcoming,” Annabelle said. “She helped connect me with Coach Mikels and Coach Frazer, and from there it really started to come together.”

Coach Mikels, who leads a Poly Summer golf clinic, gave Annabelle helpful insights into structuring a session for new players. “I had never taught a golf class before,” she said. “Coach Mikels shared strategies for keeping it engaging and accessible, and that guidance was invaluable.” Coach Frazer, meanwhile, provided day-to-day mentorship, assisting with logistics, scheduling, and encouragement throughout the planning process.

With her clinic underway, Annabelle is not only nurturing the next generation of Poly golfers—she’s also growing in a new role: as a coach. The response from eighth-grade students has been enthusiastic, with many trying golf for the first time and expressing interest in continuing. By creating a bridge between Middle and Upper School athletics, Annabelle is paving the way for a stronger, more connected golf community at Poly.