On Oct. 10-11, the New Trier High School girls golf team took hardware home from the Hickory Point Golf Course in Decatur, Illinois, placing No. 3 as a team. Additionally, Boston College commit senior Grace Leber placed No. 3 individually. This marks the first time the Trevs have won a trophy at state since 2017, and the first year the team has qualified since 2022. Leber’s combined score from two days of play of 143 led the team to victory, alongside senior Sophie Patel, junior Molly Tir, and junior Charlotte Giczewski.

After the first day, Leber shot 69, three strokes under par. Going into the second day, she was happy with the position she was in, but encountered some challenges when getting her putts to fall. 

“I was very frustrated through the middle part of my round and then my coaches told me that we were still in the running for a trophy,” Leber said. “At that point, I redirected my focus to helping our team win and how I was going to contribute to that instead of just on my own. That helped me get myself back in check and maybe work a little bit harder in the back stretch.”

Since Leber was the only Trevian to qualify for state as an individual for the past two years, she said it was her goal of hers to be able to experience the match and celebrate with her teammates for her final drive down to Decatur.

“It was probably the most fun ending to a season I’ve ever had in my four years, just getting to know everyone and having these incredible relationships,” Leber said. “I think just knowing that we were all going to be there for each other no matter what, and just do your best and have fun really helped us out and kind of took the pressure off.”

Patel, who had the No. 3 score for the Trevians, shot 81 on the first day and 79 on the second, for a total score of 160, 16 over par. After being disappointed by her performance at sectionals and regionals, Patel said that she was excited to be able to help her team perform their best at state and contribute to the overall score. However, she also struggled with her putts on the first day, changing her warm up helped her score better during the final round.

“I focused strictly on short game and that really helped me,” Patel said. “My putts were way better the second day and my chipping was way better, which ultimately lowered my score slightly.”

Though the Trevians practiced their chips, putts, and drives during practice every day, prior to the state tournament the team focused on taking time and being more intentional with their shots, refining their skills. Since typical matches are only nine holes, playing an 18-hole course two times, once on Oct. 10 and again on Oct. 11, required more focused preparation.

“I made sure to take time before, going to the course on my own and spending a few more hours than I would normally do,” senior captain Leber said. “Just making sure I was confident in the shots I was going to hit.”

Prior to the state tournament, the Trevians tied for first at sectionals, giving them high hopes for their potential performance at state. 

“I was confident that we could do well and really compete,” Leber said. “I tried to keep focus and make sure everyone was taking it seriously, but also keep it lighthearted and make sure we weren’t making it not fun.”

By constantly keeping returning to state as a team in mind during the season, the Trevs were able to turn that dream into a reality. 

“During awards, I just felt so happy that we were even able to get a medal,” Patel said. “We had a trophy, which was even better because we had worked so hard in the season and having that like physical representation of our efforts was such a good feeling. I think that just really solidified that our efforts paid off and we had a good experience.”

As the only two seniors on the team, Leber and Patel will leave big shoes to fill for the younger members. 

“I was really happy that at state we were able to bond. I hope the girls that are after me are able to carry on this great environment of trying to work hard and be successful, but also be really close in the process,” Patel said.

When asked what legacy she hopes to leave behind on the program, Leber hoped the underclassmen would learn to find balance between not taking things too seriously and enjoying the sport, while also performing at a high level. 

“It’s all just a game,” Leber said. “So just have fun and do the best that you can do.”