After making the all-conference golf team last year, Ponca City’s Ryleigh Rowe returns for her junior season. Coach Wendy Landes is excited to have one of her best golfers back on the course this season.

“Ryleigh is efficient,” Landes said. “She doesn’t mess around on the course. She plays at a good pace and is always ready for the next shot. She is a born leader. Ryleigh is going to succeed in everything she does in life because she is disciplined and determined.”

Rowe started playing golf in the seventh grade thanks to her grandfather, Clark Brown, who continues to teach her about the game of golf to this day. Rowe also learned a lot as a freshman from former teammate Sydney Hermann who currently plays golf at the University of Georgia.

“I have loved golfing with a bunch of great girls,” Rowe said. “We all love to have fun and hype each other when we need it. I learned a lot about golf from Sydney and my grandfather. Golf is more of a mental game than a physical game, so you have to stay calm and keep the ball in the fairway.”

Outside of athletics, Rowe is involved in student council, FCA and DECA.

“I love being in student council learning leadership skills and hanging out with my friends,” Rowe said. “DECA has had a great impact in my life this year. I did a kindness workshop and taught preschoolers about kindness and bullying. It was fun getting to interact with all the little kids and doing activities with them.”

Upon graduation, Rowe plans on going to school to become an occupational therapist.

“I’m interested in the value of therapeutic medicine,” Rowe said. “We can easily take our independence for granted, so I look forward to helping restore functional independence to those that have had it taken away.”