LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) — Senior Laila Badger has been playing golf at David Thibodaux since the 9th grade but how did she fall in love with the game?

“I started playing golf about five years ago,” Badger explained. “My grandfather introduced me to golf. I did not want to play at first, but he motivated me to just try it out, try something new and so I tried it out. I didn’t end up liking it, but I kept going, kept going. I learned the fundamentals, got good at it, and I was like, ok, I like this.”

Badger says her parents wanted her to get active in school and her community, so she went with what she knew: Golf.

“I wanted to join the golf team at school to get more tournaments in, be more involved at school and help others in my community,” she said.

Badger’s grandfather, Joe Walker, is also an Assistant Golf Coach at David Thibodaux. Walker is one of Badger’s many supporters.

“My grandfather is my number one supporter,” she said. “He’s always there for me. My mom, my grandmother, grandparents in general, my dad, my golf coach at school, Mr. John Bordelon and the coach that started me off on my fundamentals, Mr. Fred Sam. They’re always there for me.”

Back in March, at the Acadiana Area High Golf League Tournament, Badger made a hole-in-one. She described the feeling of making such a big shot.

“At first, I hit the wall, and I was like, ok I know had a good swing,” she said. “I saw it land like right next to the hole, but I wasn’t expecting it to be in the hole. I walked up there, and I was like, I still don’t see the ball. I was like, it rolled off and then I looked in the hole. I was like, omg it’s in the hole and I was like, excited. My mind went blank. It was a good feeling. I was happy, excited.”

Outside of sports, Badger is in the Beta Club, Spanish Club, the National Honors Society and on the student council but what’s next for Badger after graduation?

“I plan on attending Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans, she said. “I would like to become an ob-gyn, obtain a medical degree. Sadly, I will not be playing golf in college because of that reason. I want to become a doctor, so I want to focus on my future plans.”

The future doctor also has a message for any female athlete who wants to have success in their sport.

“Don’t give up,” she said. “Don’t feel intimidated. Just keep going. It might be a lie in the beginning, but once you’re in it, just have fun. Just relax and just enjoy the game.”

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