Eleven-year-old Ariel Collins is on top of the world.

The golfing world, that is.

The Locust Grove sixth-grader recently won the 2021 U.S. Kids Golf World Championship — a feat she achieved for the second year in a row.

For Collins, the victory was yet another reminder to remain focused on her goals.

“This win means more to me because I was six strokes behind on the last day of the tournament and found a way to persevere and get the win,” said Collins, who attends Abeka Academy. “It also proved to me that I should never give up and try to play my best.”

Collins was among 106 young golfers worldwide who took part in the tournament, held July 29-31 in Pinehurst, N.C.
“The U.S. Kids Golf World Championship is one of the largest junior golf tournaments in the nation, and for me to win it for a second time tells me my hard work is paying off,” said Collins. “I practice daily for hours at a time on my golf skills, but my mom always talks to me about being mentally strong and well as physically strong. I was very excited to accomplish such a big win.”

Collins started playing golf at age 4, and participated in her first tournament a year later. She currently practices at Heron Bay Golf & Country Club in Locust Grove.

Collins said became aware of her aptitude for the sport after winning putting contests against her parents.

“I enjoy playing golf because I get to meet new friends from all over the country,” said Ariel Collins. “Playing golf gives me confidence to do other things well, such as public speaking, my schoolwork, and other challenges. If I can play golf at a high level, I believe I can do anything because golf is a very difficult sport.”

Collins’ tournament triumph is the latest in a string of accolades she has garnered for her golfing prowess. She was selected, in 2020, as the U.S. Kids Golf 2020 Player of the Year, as well as the Georgia State Golf Association girls 12-15 intermediate 2020 Player of the Year.

Collins also previously achieved Birdie status with Atlanta Metro First Tee program. She has won the U.S. Kids Golf 11-12 Girls State Championship, the Notah Begay III Georgia Regional Championship, and numerous local tournaments.

She said the world championship tournament was made more challenging this year, because she had to be mindful of COVID-19 protocols throughout the event.

“I wore a mask around the greens because sometimes we were in close contact,” said Collins. “It was very hot — in the high 90s — and the course was very challenging.”

Collins said she has followed the careers of fellow golfers including Danielle Kang, Tiger Woods, Lexi Thompson, and Mariah Stackhouse. Collins said she is also thankful for the guidance of her mentor, Ayanna Habeel, a junior on the golf team at Southern Illinois University.

“She been supporting me since day one,” said Collins. “Ayanna gives me advice, she will practice with me and she is like my big sister.”

Collins said she is “fortunate” to be the world champion, due to the competition she faced from others in her division. She said she is thankful for those who have encouraged her along the way, including her parents, Anthony and Tawana Collins. “It feels great because so many supporters in my community call me The Champ,” she said. “That type of support just make me want to work harder and accomplish more.”

Collins said apart from the successes she has achieved on the golf course, her biggest reward is being able to spend time with her family.

“My mom helps me with my school subjects, my mental game, and she takes me to practice every day,” she said. “My brother AJ goes to practice with me every day and likes to putt the ball in the hole. My dad is my caddie at some of my tournaments.”

Collins said she is grateful for the support of her extended family, as well as others in her local golfing community.

“The Green Valley Golf Group always keep the golf courses in good shape,” she said. “The TAP Foundation Men’s Golf Association are big supporters, they always congratulate and encourage me to continue to get better. The members at Heron Bay Golf Course are always telling me how proud they are of my accomplishment because they always see me practicing for hours at a time. I’m just so thankful for all the support, and it makes me want to play my best every time I’m on the course.”

Anthony Collins said he was excited about his daughter’s continued success in golf. He said her latest victory will help to “validate” characteristics that he and his wife Tawana — both of whom were athletes in college — are striving to teach Ariel.
“Perseverance is key in golf and in life,” said Anthony Collins. “You can’t give up when things are not going as planned. You should find a way to accomplish your goals when life is not favorable at the time. You should have confidence in your preparations.”

“A professional practices their craft until they can’t get it wrong, but an amateur only practices until they get it right,” said Anthony Collins. “So, we may practice some of the same golf drills every day but that is because we want to have the most confidence when we need that type of golf shot in a tournament.”

Anthony Collins said his daughter understands the value of responsibility as she builds on her golfing success. He said she is also working to enhance her good judgment and additional qualities that will help her in the future.
“One of the reasons why we’re so ecstatic Ariel is playing golf is because she will use some of the same characteristics in life as she will in golf,” he said. “The golf game demands honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect and so many other qualities you will need in life.”

Rather than resting on her laurels, Ariel Collins is continuing to hone her golfing skills. Her father said Ariel recently began working with a pair of coaches — PGA professional coach Willie Smith and short-game specialist Nyre Williams.

“Both coaches are unbelievable,” said Anthony Collins. “They show her different techniques she can use in tournaments and they have the same beliefs as we do — practice on your craft until you can’t get it wrong.”

Ariel Collins’ goal is to use her golfing abilities to earn a scholarships. She hopes to eventually help other young people develop their own passion for golf.

“I would like to play in the LPGA and help others play this great game of golf by hosting many junior golf tournaments,” she said. “I also would like to design golf courses someday.”