The golf course at Hackberry Creek Country Club, quiet. Wind rustling gently through the trees. Standing over a putt, Coppell senior Nethra Sheri steadies her hand on the club, trusting the hours of practice that had come before.

Months later, she will have the same steadiness, just not at Coppell.

Her journey to varsity golf starts during the first grade.

Sheri’s introduction to golf came when her parents signed her up for an after-school golf club at Universal Academy.

“I think my parents wanted me to have an extracurricular, to go outside and play in the grass like a kid,” Sheri said.

In the moment, it felt like a reason to try something new. Later, it was clear that she had a natural skill for the game, which she was told from those who observed her on the course.

“Apparently, I was really good at it at a young age, as I was told,” Sheri said. “I had really nice hand-eye coordination, so it was definitely a skill that was useful.”

Sheri continued playing and the sport opened doors to outside experiences. This intensified her liking for the sport.

“What really pushed my love for the game is that I got to meet people from different states and different backgrounds,” Sheri said. “I experienced so many new things.”

Sheri’s path in golf also stood out from what many amongst her cultural background might expect her to do growing up. Choosing this sport meant taking a step outside typical norms tied to culture, something she embraced with ease with the support of her parents.

“As a kid from an Indian background, golf isn’t really the popular choice for athletics,” Sheri said. “My parents were really supportive and acknowledged my achievements.”

Despite the social experiences that came with the sport, much of the hard work happens alone. Practicing alone. Competing alone.

Within her team, her teammates are more to her than just fellow athletes.

“These girls are not my teammates,” Sheri said. “They’re my sisters.”

This bond between her teammates stands out as she observes the relationships among the players she has competed against.

Senior Riya Bapna has played alongside Sheri for four years and both built a friendship and a thriving competition. Bapna recalls her time spent practicing occasionally with Sheri. Her favorite memory with Sheri being established in Hebron during the past collegiate tournament.

“We were just having fun like we usually do and were constantly laughing at each other’s bad shots,” Bapna said. “It’s just one of my favorite memories with Nethra.”

All Sheri desired was a place on the varsity team. She knew she would have to work incredibly hard for it.

“It was the beginning of freshman year when I really wanted to go to varsity,” Sheri said. “I had thought of it a lot. I wanted a varsity spot.”

Sheri’s focus paid off. It took only a short time towards the second semester of freshman year to make varsity.

“Although she didn’t start the year on varsity, it took her just about three tournaments,” Coppell girls golf coach Gary Beyer said. “She got varsity, she was on, and she never left.”

Over the course of becoming Sheri’s new coach, Beyer not only saw her skill, but also her character. Even as she progressed through varsity tournaments, Sheri was altruistic.

“The main part is that her success did not change her personality,” Beyer said. “She did not get egoistical and when you’re an athlete, that’s rare. It’s not normal.”

As high school ends, Sheri prepares for a new chapter. She wanted something new, something outside of her comfort zone. The decision led her to Northern Illinois University, where she plans to study business so as to not rely on a sport alone.

For Beyer, her departure is going to be bittersweet.

“I treat her like one of my own kids,” Beyer said. “She’s going to be missed. Greatly.”

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