By Jeff Steers
JTV Sports
(August 21, 2022 8:00 AM) There is an interesting correlation between the practice schedule of Jackson High School golfer Natalie Kulka and the results.
The more she practices – and enjoys it – the better the JHS senior becomes.
Kulka gained a world of confidence by becoming a state qualifier last fall and her tournament results from this summer.
“I have found more passion with each year playing golf,” Kulka said. “I have had a lot of fun… golf is my thing.”
It has been the thing for her family as her father and sometimes caddy Mike, and her whole family had a chance to follow Natalie around the golf course in the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 2 state finals in 2021.
“I found that I can play with the big players in Michigan (at the D-2 state finals),” Kulka said.
She qualified for the state tournament with an 81 at the regional meet and scores of 82 and 83 at the state finals. Kulka finished three shots out of the top 10.
“I think I can get into the top 10 this year… I was right there,” Kulka said. Kulka had her father on the bag when she made a run at the Jackson County Womens Golf Association Match Play Championship this summer at Sharp Park.
“I play a 1000 times better when he is on my bag,” Kulka said. “He reads putts very well and gives me confidence… it is reassuring.”
Kamryn Shannon and Kulka – two of the best young golfers in Jackson – went head to head for 18 holes in a semifinal round at the match play championship.
Shannon shot a 7-under-par 64 on the day and Kulka finished with a 68 on the par 71 course. Shannon won 2-up in the 18-hole match.
“It was a back-and-forth match,” Kulka said. “I was two up early in the match and there were times when Kamryn was one or two up.
“My goal is to get better in the multiple day tournaments.”
Kulka won the Southeastern Conference White Division individual championship last year for the Vikings with an 84 average.
But the senior has gotten better this year. She shot 1-under-par in a scramble event at Sharp Park Golf Course and 2-under-par in the Vikings’ first SEC match of the season.
Kulka carries a grade point average of 3.9 at JHS and enjoys her marketing class.
She would like to attend college, study marketing, and play golf.
“Sports teaches you to stay committed and a lot of times it gives students a purpose,” Kulka said.
Looks like Kulka has found her purpose through golf.
