Evangelical Christian School junior Claire Todd has been around the game of golf for as long as she can remember. She originally became interested in the sport after witnessing her older brother, Carson, compete.

Now Todd has been inspiring her own golf team with leadership and positivity.

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“When I was younger I would just go with him and my grandfather to just watch him,” she said, “and then I fell in love with the sport.”

Once her brother officially put the clubs down to pursue baseball, she picked up where he left off. Todd hasn’t looked back since.

Over the past eight years, she has developed a reputation for herself on the Memphis golf scene and has learned how to make the game her own. Some might even say she’s making strides toward becoming a world-class golfer.

Todd not only competes for her school but also plays tournaments during the year. She said she likes to compete throughout the summer and participates in some winter tournaments.

Even when Todd is not trying to shoot the lowest round in an official event, she is still on the course playing with friends and having fun.

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“I never really get tired of it,” Todd said. “It’s something I love.”

The ECS girls golf team has had abundant success this year and according to coach Beth Miller a lot of those team achievements have to do with Todd’s leadership and dedication to the sport.

Although she is a junior, Todd has been a member of the varsity team for the past four years. It’s because she played up as an eighth grader.

“Claire is one of the hardest workers that I have ever seen,” Miller said. “She is an extremely talented golfer. Every aspect of her game is really good.” 

This year she has taken on the role of mentoring the Eagles’ No. 2, Mathile Walker, who, like Todd did years earlier, is playing up as an eighth grader.

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In Tuesday’s region championship, Walker shot a 77 good for third place individually and combined with Todd’s 75, helped the Eagles to the team title.

ECS advances to play in the Division 2-A state championship tournament that will be held Oct. 12-13, at the Highlands Course at Sevierville Golf Club in Sevierville, Tennessee.

Having a tight team has also helped contribute to the program's, and Todd’s, success.

“I love our team,” Todd said. “We are all really close with each other.”

After high school, Todd would like to take her game to the next level.

“I would really love to play in college somewhere,” she said.

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Since she just entered her junior year, the recruitment process has just begun. She does not have a clear idea of where she would like to play it, but does plan to start taking visits to different colleges in the near future.

Miller believes Todd can compete well on the next level.

“If she continues to work hard,” the ECS coach said, “she will definitely reach those goals.”