By Carson Vercoe | Sports Writer
For most college athletes, the end comes after four long years, leaving them to question what if they had one more year. One more year to finish what they started, be with their teammates or keep doing what they love.
Some don’t get this opportunity, but fifth-year Bridget Boczar did, and now she looks to make the most of it on her last ride.
Boczar returns to Baylor for her last season after earning a fifth year of eligibility, giving her a chance to compete alongside her teammates one last time.
Boczar is now stepping into a new role.
She has become a leader for this young squad. She’s a player her teammates can turn to when they need help with their game, advice or lessons she learned.
“I’ve been able to offer some advice to the girls,” Boczar said. “Strategies for studying and if they need help with tutoring, or if they’re falling behind in something … I’ve been there, and I’ve been doing this for a few years now, so I have some insight on that.”
Boczar’s leadership style may differ from others as she steps into her position.
“I’m a bit of an introvert,” Boczar said. “When I lead, it’s a lot of the time through leading by example.”
She has set up high goals for herself as one of the leaders on the team. There is one simple goal that Boczar aims for whenever she goes out on the course.
“I always say before each tournament, my goal is to just have fun because it’s an honor to be out here, and especially being out here for a fifth year,” she said. “I wasn’t supposed to be here, so just having fun and enjoying it is one of my goals.”
While soaking up and enjoying every moment of her last season, Boczar still wants to compete at the highest level.
“Getting my ranking up and playing my best golf that I can is always the goal because at the end of the day, we are working towards this,” she said.
She has wasted no time trying to get to that level.
Boczar opened her season with a second-place finish at the Cougar Classic in Charleston, South Carolina. She put together a tournament that showed, not only her individual skill, but also the experience she brings to the Baylor squad.
She put up 12 birdies in the two rounds and finished the day at seven under par, putting herself at the top of the leaderboard. Her performance allowed the Bears to take home a third-place finish to start the season.
“Coming into the fall, I was more relaxed, just looking to contribute to the team,” Boczar said. “I wasn’t looking to have a super high finish, but obviously it gave me a lot of confidence knowing I did.”
Boczar is constantly working on improving her game. So much so that even head coach Jay Goble has taken notice.
“She’s just an absolute workhorse,” Goble said. “She works on her game, practices, works on her fitness, and I mean, she checks all the boxes to be ready to compete on a weekly basis.”
Goble feels that bringing back Boczar makes this Bears team a tough squad for anyone to take down.
Boczar has lofty expectations for her team but is confident it can meet them.
“Making it through regionals and then getting to nationals and hopefully making it to match play,” Boczar said. “We did go to nationals the last two years when I was here as well, so I know we’re capable of doing it.”
Baylor has all the makings of a good season with the talent it has and Boczar’s leadership. But when it’s all said and done, Boczar hopes to be remembered for one thing.
“I hope they remember me for being very kind and going out of my way to make people feel seen,” she said.
She may not have much time left at Baylor, but Boczar is always willing to spend time with her team.
“Our most valuable resource on this team is our time because we’re constantly in a hurry, constantly studying, or eating, or going to a tournament, or practice or playing golf,” she said. “ When somebody does take the time to listen to you, or talk to you, or hang out with you, or do something, I think that’s a huge gift. I would love to be known for my generosity that way.”
