Having grown up in Olympia Fields, you would think Marian Catholic junior golfer Bree Veazey was born with a golf club in her hands.
But that wasn't the case, even with courses like Olympia Field Country Club within a putt's distance. Veazey's athletic career started on the softball diamond and she also was in ballet. She did not take up golf until she was in third grade.
"My dad just saw the potential and I really liked playing golf," Veazey said. "I really took to golf and love playing it."
It shows.
Veazey and her Marian Catholic teammates return to Hickory Point Golf Club in Forsyth for the Class AA state meet Friday and Saturday. The Spartans were sixth last year and hope to do better with a senior-laden team. Homewood-Flossmoor's Katelyn Hoag will also compete as an individual.
"We are just going to go out and concentrate on our game and not worry about a lot of other things," Veazey said. "We talked about a top-three finish, but we just have to go out and golf."
Veazey has been one of the reasons the Spartans won the East Suburban Catholic Conference title as well as the Homewood-Flossmoor Sectional.
"She has been consistent all year and we knew we could count on her," Marian coach Linda Gilley said. "She comes out and is very serious on the course and she is also there to pick up the other kids."
Whether it is joking or using a line from her favorite movie, Veazey is usually there to help her teammates when they are having a rough day.
"If they are down, they can count on me to say a line from 'The Lion King' or break out in one of the songs from the movie," Veazey said. "They really get a kick out of it and they just laugh."
And it switches a smile for a frown, said teammate Nina Nicpon.
"She is just a great teammates, a great personality," Nicpon said. "Bree can make you laugh so hard, but on the course she is very competitive."
Veazey will treat her teammates to a viewing of "The Lion King" and 'High School Musical" tonight. It is sort of a team bonding ritual.
"We can all break out in song and dance and just laugh," Veazey said. "I love those two movies and I love to sing (songs) from those movies.
"I think it will keep us at ease for the state meet."
So will Kelley Nicpon's homemade chocolate chip cookies.
"She always plays better when she eats my mom's cookies," Nina Nicpon said. "She really loves them."
Veazey is also serious in the classroom and wants to become an OB/GYN.
"I have always wanted to do things to help people," Veazey said. "Being a doctor, you are doing that and I know it is a lot of schooling, but it a career I want to pursue."
For right now, Gilley is just looking for a few more good rounds.
"Maybe this is the weekend she really breaks out and has a great round," Gilley said.
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