Byland signs with Marietta College

Shelby Byland signed her letter of intent to play golf at Marietta College on Monday, March 18. She is pictured with her parents, Keith and Shelly Byland. Beth Scott | Beacon

WARSAW – Shelby Byland has been playing golf throughout her high school career and on Monday, March 18, she signed her letter of intent to play golf at Marietta College surrounded by her family and teammates.

“I think this golf team and the program in general has been such a great thing for me,” said Byland. “Watching it grow and me growing with it has been a great thing. I couldn’t have done it without them.”

Byland chose Marietta College because she said it felt right for her.

“At first, I thought about going to Ashland University, but I reached out to the golf coach at Marietta College and he convinced me to take a tour and I fell in love with the campus. The more I thought about it, it made sense. It’s just perfect for me.”

Byland will be majoring in political science and environmental science with a minor in leadership.

In one of her scholarship essays, Byland noted Principal Chuck Rinkes as having made an impact on her life.

“I think Mr. Rinkes knows so much about all of us and he cares about us and even though he’s a busy man, he cares about this school,” said Byland. “He’s helped me through tough times and without him, I would not have been as successful in this school or in this district.”

Coach Bill Stufflebean was also present at the signing and has coached Byland for three years.

“She definitely has matured,” he said. “Her mental game has improved exponentially and her skill level in her physical game has also improved.”

Stufflebean has some advice for Byland as she begins her college years next fall.

“Stay focused on academics first and then her sport of choice, which is golf, would be second to that and that requires a lot of attention too,” said Stufflebean. “Be able to prioritize to handle the academic load and be competitive in the sport at the same time. Shelby is going to make sure the score is right at the end of the day and maintain the integrity of the game by playing by the rules.”

Byland’s parents, Keith and Shelly Byland, were also at the signing to support their daughter.

“She started out on the boys’ team at 125 and now she’s playing college golf,” said Shelly. “She’s grown expediently, so we’re really excited to see what she does in the next four years. She’s taken a younger team and helped other girls grow. We are very proud of her.”

Shelly also has some advice for her daughter as she heads toward her college years.

“Failure is just your first attempt,” she said. “Try harder and never give up. Play each hole one at a time.”

Category: High School, Sports