by Kevin Grogan, South Lake Tablet
Clermont’s Alexandra Remaklus: The High School Golf Champion to Watch in 2024″
Central Florida has an abundance of golf courses and Clermont has its share as well. With this, it makes our community a hotbed for high school golf talent. This gives local high school athletes plenty of opportunities to develop their game. Clermont’s Alexandra Remaklus has taken advantage of this. The East Ridge High senior and recent Nova Southeastern University commit comes into the 2024 season as the defending local champ with a few titles from her 2023 campaign. On paper, this makes Remaklus the one to beat. But let’s just say there is no rest in sight for this intense competitor. Remaklus was kind enough to take us through her journey over the last few months & what is on tap for the 2024 high school golf season.
SLTablet: You are the defending District & Regional Champion. How & when did your golf career start? Take us through your golf career to this point.
Remaklus: I grew up in Colorado and started playing golf about 6 years ago. Growing up I was a very active kid and was always playing a sport, most times more than one at a time. Then I just fell in love with golf. Golf is a different type of sport, it requires more mental strength and it’s only you out there on the course.
SLTablet: What does a typical summer day look like for you in prep for the fall golf season?
Remaklus: Over the summer I’m at the gym early in the morning, then headed to the pool to get my cardio in. I wait out the heat of the day at my house hitting on a simulator dialing in yardages. Towards late afternoon I head to the course and spend a few hours on the range and chipping/putting greens working on drills and technique. At the end of practice I got to go out and have a little fun and go play 9 with some friends.
SLTablet: What part of your game have you been working on in prep for this year’s senior season?
Remaklus: A part of my game that I’ve been working on is the mental side. In any sport, it’s so easy to get in your own way and be a perfectionist. Golf is a hard sport, that’s what makes it fun though. You’re never going to hit a perfect shot or play a perfect round. You have to live with the result and take it one shot at a time. Like they say, there are no pictures on a scorecard!
SLTablet: As the senior leader on this East Ridge golf team, what attributes do you bring to the table to help guide some of your younger teammates?
Remaklus: I’m really excited to be a captain this year because I just want to make the season fun. I want to make memories and enjoy the game with each other. Golf isn’t usually a team sport so when you have the opportunity to have teammates you have to go out and have fun and not take everything so seriously.
SLTablet: Looking forward, what are some goals you have thought about for this year; both team & individual accolades?
Remaklus: As a team, I would like for us to win districts and have a top 3 finish at regionals. Individually I want to enjoy myself. I want to go out and have fun and soak in all the moments. Last year I was able to win districts and regionals and have a top 15 finish at states, so going into this year I’d like to repeat and show what I got at states!
SLTablet: Passion. That is how your Coach would describe your golf game. What does that mean to you?
Remaklus: To me passion is loving a sport even on the rough days. As an athlete you’re never going to be perfect, you’re going to have bad days. But pushing through those days is what makes players great. Passion is making sacrifices now so you can achieve your dreams and have the future you want.
SLTablet: Where has your young golf career taken you in your travels to different venues? And what has been your favorite course to play?
Remaklus: I have been all over the country, from coast to coast. I’ve played many styles of courses but my favorite would have to be Torrey Pines. The holes that are next to the cliff by the ocean are some of the most beautiful sights I’ve ever seen!
SLTablet: What are some things you enjoy doing outside your golf world?
Remaklus: I love cars, I grew up in a car family and my dad taught me everything he knows. Unfortunately, he’s an American Muscle guy, while I on the other hand, love Euro cars! I treat my car as if she were my child, she’s my pride and joy! Going to car shows and racing are some of my favorite things to do outside of the golf world. It’s a way to get away from everything and just look at beautiful pieces of art and get to know the car and the owners.
SLTablet: Anything else you would like to add or share?
Remaklus: I also love going to the beach! I hate the water and sand on a golf course, but the beach is a peaceful place to relax and take in the beauty of our world.