Getting to know: Megan Osland
May 12, 2014
Morgan Gibbens (British Columbia Golf)
What makes a young, successful athlete chose to pursue one sport over another? In Megan Osland’s case, it was practical foresight.
Already having a great deal of success at the provincial level, Osland was on pace to compete at a high-level in hockey, until she became increasingly involved in golf, the later sport won her over. She understood and appreciated, even at a young age, the sustainability of the sport of golf.
“With golf you can play for the rest of your life. And with hockey, it’s something that one injury could set you out. So I just felt it was a better fit for me,” Osland stated during a phone interview from California where she studies recreation management at San Jose State.
Osland recognized early on that golf was a sport she could pursue early and continue to enjoy for years to come, but she credits her strong background in hockey as a good base for her golf game, and particularly for her powerful swing.
The physical demands of playing golf at a highly-competitive level have not been lost on the Kelowna native but overall she saw it as something she could continue with long-term.
“It’s an ongoing challenge, both mentally and physically. I think the thing with golf is, you’ll never perfect the game so you’re always working toward something,” Osland explained.
“There’s always something to get better at. I love the challenge of trying to be mentally and physically strong for all 18 holes.”
Always room for improvement
Pleased with the increasing consistency of her game and her strength with her irons and driver, the “something to get better at” that Osland is currently focusing on is her short game.
Osland knows that that powerful swing will only carry the four-time British Columbia Zone 2 Girls’ Champion so far.
“It’s come down to the level where everyone can hit the ball well, length is a key thing but I think short game is what wins tournaments. It’s something I can always improve on,” Osland said.
Osland recently competed in the Mountain West Conference Championship with the Spartans, where the team narrowly missed out on making the post season, losing by a single shot. It was the first time since Osland has been with the team that they did not qualify for the post season.
Like a true competitor, she is shaking off the loss and is looking forward, preparing for summer championships including the British Columbia Golf Women’s Amateur in July.
“I love that tournament. I’ve done well in it the past few years and have made the team to go to nationals so I’m looking forward to that tournament again. I’m hoping to make the team and to finish well there,” she said.
As eager as she is to compete, so are we anxious to watch Osland’s progress as she works to become a stronger player.
And what else is she looking forward to about playing closer to home?
“Having my dad caddie for me,” she said.
We’ll bet he doesn’t mind the job one bit.