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Golf isn’t just a hobby for this week’s Left Hand Valley Courier Student-Athlete of the Week. It’s a way of life.

Since taking up the sport four years ago, Niwot junior Andrew Elliott has come to value the intangible benefits of golf, such as increased self-discipline and self-awareness.

“I like golf because your performance is your own responsibility,” said the second-year varsity player. “It’s taught me to rely on myself.”

Elliott joined the Niwot golf team as a sophomore last year, and played in the varsity tournaments as the third or fourth seed. He was a member of the Cougars’ four-man team at last year’s Class 4A state meet in Carbondale, where Niwot finished eighth overall.

Elliott moved up to the number two spot for Niwot this year. Though he has struggled a bit in early season play, he took seventh overall in the Greeley Central Invitational on Aug. 15, and helped lead the Cougars to a season-best fourth-place finish. Head golf coach Ed Weaver thinks Elliott has a great chance to qualify for the state tournament for the second straight year, and expects to see the junior continue to improve down the stretch.

As for Elliott, he too is hoping for a return to state, but for now, is just focused on getting through the whirlwind season. “I hope I can place in the top ten as much as possible,” he said. “That’s really what’s best for the team overall.”

When he’s not hitting the links for the Cougars, Elliott is an excellent student at Niwot, currently taking classes on the AP track, who claims history as his favorite subject.

When it comes to balancing school and sports, golfers are uniquely disadvantaged. Since most of their events are held during school hours and seasons are often compact, students can miss multiple school days in a week. To keep from falling behind, Elliott relies on advance planning, communication and some of that self-discipline he’s picked-up from pacing the greens.

“You have to go to your teachers a week in advance and get your assignments,” he said. “Then you can do them and hand them in before the other students even get them.”

As for life after high school, Elliott is still in the planning stages, but front and center in those plans is golf. Not only does he hope to play in college, but he has his sights ultimately set on becoming a professional and one day joining the PGA tour.