As the morning dew lifted off the fairways, the team of six surrounded the first hole. The morning progressed and the sun intensified but the unity and motivation pushed the team to finish their practice strong. One solitary figure on a team full of youthful faces gathered the girls and closed the practice.

“She is a player we can count on to communicate with the team and is someone other players can talk to, other than coaches,” East Junior Varsity Girls Golf coach, Lindsey Cole, told Spark.

East senior Bella Dixon is one of six golfers on the East Girls Golf team and also the only senior on the team. Dixon is accompanied by junior Mia Park, sophomores Tyler Loving and Emily Gruber, and freshmen Jenna Schmidt and Sydney Phan.

“I am lucky because I love all of my teammates,” Dixon told Spark. “They’re all so awesome, and I don’t really feel any different [because I’m a senior].”

Although there is an abundance of underclassmen on the team, multiple players and Dixon’s coaches agree that the team dynamic has remained consistent due to certain factors.

“I don’t think the team dynamic is much different because it’s less about the grade you are in and more about the talent you have,” East sophomore and one of Dixon’s teammates, Emily Gruber, told Spark.

East Varsity Girls Golf head coach Brady Webb agrees.

“The reason for [the dynamic staying consistent] is Bella,” Webb told Spark. “She leads naturally and makes everyone feel welcome and encouraged. Even when she might be having a bad day, she stays positive to help out the team.”

Dixon said another reason the dynamic is so consistent is the way the girls act.

“Everybody is super mature,” said Dixon. “I know sometimes with different sports teams there’s kind of a stereotype that goes along with the freshman not knowing what they’re doing, but [the team dynamic] hasn’t really changed.”

Dixon adds that her team is very reliable and their ability to keep a level head throughout the matches is what amazes her.

Alongside her teammates, Dixon also has a positive attitude. Her involvement in extracurricular activities ranges far beyond the landscape of East. She is involved in The Special Olympics of Butler County, Relay for Life, Dragonfly Student Ambassadors, and National Honors Society.

“Bella is very caring and helpful. She shows empathy and compassion when working with our athletes,” Butler County Advisory Board Member and coach for golf and bocce ball, Molly Grimm, told Spark.

Dixon has been helping the Butler County Special Olympics as a unified partner paired with a special needs athlete for two years now, but met Grimm five years ago.

“Bella took on a role as a coach and diversified partner in golf,” said Grimm. “She was very helpful in assisting her partner as they played golf together each week. It was fun to see her get excited when her Special Olympics partner succeeded and made progress throughout the season.”

Dixon’s journey helping the Special Olympics in golf runs parallel to the time that she started to play the game herself. This is only her second year of playing golf and being on the team. When she started her junior year, she expressed that there was a lot to learn about different aspects of the game.

“I knew that I did not really know everything that went into golf, but I just really loved the concept of the strategy and being outside, and I was like, I might as well just try it,” said Dixon.

Cole adds that from the start, Dixon was always looking to consume golf knowledge and strategy.

“Bella came to pre-season practice rounds last year, and was immediately bubbly and friendly to all on the team,” said Cole. “She was new to the sport of golf, but eager to learn. Bella worked hard both at practice and on her own to improve her game and learn the rules of golf.”

Golfers do not accelerate at the game just by hitting the ball as hard as possible. As published by Golf Monthly, an informational sports website that showcases the best news in modern golf, understanding golf strategy can majorly improve an athletes’ game. Counting the bunkers, knowing the distances, understanding danger zones and wind tactics are some of many tips highlighted in the article.

“[My favorite part about golf] is the strategy and the mental toughness that you need to have throughout playing, because you can’t let a bad shot get in your head; it’s really easy to do that,” said Dixon.

Before she played golf, Dixon was involved in many sports, ranging from competitive dance to basketball. The shift in etiquette and scoring was a drastic change, one that Dixon was willing to take on.

“[The etiquette] was probably the biggest adjustment I would say. My family definitely loves basketball and football, very physically aggressive sports,” said Dixon. “Golf is pretty much the opposite of that.”

With her shift in sport interests, Dixon was forced to develop confidence early, especially due to the fact that she was placed on varsity her junior year. Her teammates have recognized this and said that Dixon has only grown in her confidence level.

“I’ve seen Bella grow a lot in her confidence while she’s golfing,” said Gruber. “Bella is a very uplifting and positive teammate; she can always make us laugh.”

Not only have her teammates recognized this about Dixon, but her coaches have as well.

“Bella has become much more confident on the golf course and as a leader on the team,” said Cole. “As she is starting her college search, it is fun to see what schools and majors Bella is considering.”

Dixon is interested in either Miami University or The Ohio State University to study to major in business administration and management and minor in psychology.

“Bella is one of the best people you will ever meet in life,” said Webb. “I am going to miss her more than she ever knows after this season.”