By Jeremy McDonald

jeremymcdonald73@gmail.com

SALEM, Ore.– Salem Academy freshman Alex Willcoxen is off to a blazing start in her High School Golf career.  Already two tournaments into the Spring, the Crusader has two tournament victories.  Winning the  Agate Beach Invitational and the  4A/3A/2A/1A Girls Tournament at Spring Hill Golf Course in a matter of a week, a good start for the rookie and a strong start for a Salem Academy program looking to reboot after not having a squad since before the Covid Pandemic.For Willcoxen, she points to her off-season training. Practicing whenever she can, partaking in Oregon Golf Association (OGA) tournaments to help better herself.

Those OGA tournaments helped her work through those pressure-cooker situations now in school ball as the squad enters the little Spring Break time-off.”Just practicing throughout the year. I’ve done OGA tournaments and not giving it up until the school golf year.

 It’s more stressful there and now that I’m going into High School golf tournaments, it’s a lot less stressful,” Willcoxen said.   “Just the confidence I would say.  Confidence is a lot.  If you’re nervous about golf, it’ll show in your game.”

Salem Academy will be off until April 3 when they head to Monroe to play at the Diamond Woods Golf Course before heading to the Bandon Dunes Invitational on April 10.  And for the freshman, just overall working on the little things going in-, and coming out of the Spring Break time-off into the remainder of the season will be crucial for her in becoming more of a overall better golfer.

“Just overall everything.  Not just golf too, just being a good sports person and cheering on my teammates.  That’s something I can work on,” Willcoxen said.

Photos By Jeremy McDonald