Par for the Course

As a young girl, Nicole Polivchak would take her place alongside the world’s elite, patiently waiting for her musical cue.

With the sweet sound of patriotism filtering from the TV, Polivchak would wave her arms in celebration before joining her fellow athletes in the Olympic march.

Polivchak watched the Olympics religiously, envisioning the day when she too would be able to wave her country’s flag for all the world to see.

The 16-year-old Riverview High golfer has aspirations of competing in the 2020 Summer Olympics, in Tokyo, and, this summer, Polivchak could move one step closer to her longterm goal. 

Polivchak was one of six girls named to Poland’s national team and will compete in the European Girls’ Team Championship July 7 through July 11, in the Czech Republic. 

Polivchak, who has dual citizenship and travels to Poland every other year to visit family, brought her clubs with her for the first time last year and started playing in tournaments there. She shot an even par to win a combination tournament last summer, competing against both boys and girls her age. 

The Polish assistant coach, who was watching the tournament, noticed Polivchak and approached her about competing for Poland. 

“I was very excited,” Polivchak says. “We saw the opportunity and we took it. My No. 1 goal is to represent Poland (in the championship).” 

Polivchak, who is home-schooled, left for Poland June 21 and will remain there with her family until Sept. 1.

Prior to heading to Poland, Polivchak shot a combined 152 to win the Girls 16-18 division of the 2015 Sarasota Junior City Championship June 13 and June 14, at Bobby Jones Golf Club. This was the fifth-consecutive year Polivchak has won the tournament, having won the Girls 16-18 division last year and the Girls 13-15 division each of the three years prior. 

“I haven’t lost yet in that tournament,” Polivchak says. “I just feel like that course is set up for my game, and I felt confident with all of my shots.” 

Polivchak began golfing when she was 7 years old after her father, Rodger, took her to clinic at Evie’s Family Golf Center. Polivchak picked up the sport fairly quickly and joined the First Tee of Sarasota Manatee. 

She began competing in tournaments, but it wasn’t until she was 13 years old that Polivchak, who also was a gymnast at the time, decided to focus all of her attention on the green. 

“I figured I would injure myself less playing golf, and I enjoyed it more,” Polivchak says. “I enjoy the competition. It’s a unique sport. There’s always a challenge. You don’t know what to expect because there’s always different conditions and different courses that you can play. It’s not just one set thing.” 

Polivchak spent the past year attending the Tim Sheredy Golf Institute, working with Sheredy for four hours a day, five days a week, at the River Club Golf Course, in Bradenton. 

As part of her training, Polivchak spent ample time working on her short game and learning how to play bunker shots.

In addition to her training sessions, Polivchak also played for Riverview, for which she shot a 75 at the Class 3A-District 14 tournament to finish third overall and earn a berth in the regional tournament. 

Now Polivchak is preparing to play alongside a new set of teammates while representing the country that has become her second home. 

“I enjoy playing on a team with other girls and having that bond,” Polivchak says. “I think it’s fun with teammates and by yourself. But with teammates, it just feels a little more fun.”

Contact Jen Blanco at [email protected].