O’Neal freshman and star golfer, Nicole Adam, has made a verbal commitment to study and play golf for the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. Following in the footsteps of her Coach Donna Andrews, Nicole has secured a spot on the UNC team for the fall 2020.
In addition to attending UNC Chapel Hill, Adam’s coach Andrews is a 6 time winner on the LPGA tour including winning a Major Championship in 1994 and is thrilled to see her star pupil’s commitment to become a fellow Tar Heel. “UNC is a great fit for Nicole both academically and golf wise,” says Andrews. “I am very proud of her for how hard she has worked and for the recognition she has earned with this opportunity. There is a lot of hard work ahead, too, and I know she will continue to put forth that work and be a tremendous success in golf and life. UNC is the next step for her in working towards her future successes and I can’t wait to see her blossom.”
Nicole was the winning medalist in 8 of her 10 golf tournaments this fall for the debut of O’Neal School’s girls golf program. Adam earned All-State recognition as a freshman, finishing 5th place overall at the State Championships to make the All-State team. Girls’ golf coach, Buck Warren, is delighted her success has led to a future competing in the Atlantic Coast Conference. “What an exciting opportunity for Nicole and one that I believe will fuel her continued success,” says Warren. “I don’t believe I have seen a young lady who works harder than she does and though just a freshman, she is developing into one of the very best players in the state. As strong as her golf game is, it is surpassed by the strength of her character and leadership.”
Athletic Director, James Franklin echoed Coach Warren’s thoughts and beamed with excitement for Nicole, recognizing her achievements are a result of endless hours of commitment. “Nicole epitomizes how all successful student-athletes should approach being top athletes,” says Franklin. “She is dedicated to the process of developing all the tools necessary to be at the top of her sport. She is dedicated physically, technically and cerebrally and is one of the strongest youth athletes psychologically I have ever known. These tools are very recognizable in her success and will only manifest themselves further as a student-athlete golfer at UNC Chapel Hill. Congratulations, Nicole! We look forward to following your career as a Tar Heel and beyond.”
Adam has had Chapel Hill on her mind for a very long time. In fact, Nicole began playing golf at age four. Nicole played in her first tournament as an eight year old and qualified for the US Kids Golf World Championships a year later. Her early exploits led her family to move to North Carolina from Ohio. As she progressed through the junior golf system, Nicole’s work ethic has been the driving force behind her successes. Nicole devotes endless hours to practice and her dedication is a compliment to her natural talent. Nicole sacrifices study hall times for strength and conditioning sessions while maintaining straight A’s in the classroom. Nicole is also is known to drag her family out to practice and playing sessions in all types of inclement weather, practicing for close to 20 hours a week no matter what the conditions. Nicole has worked her way up to the #1 ranking in her graduating class on the North Carolina Junior Golf Scoreboard. She also earned national recognition with a 3rd place finish at last year’s The Masters, Drive Chip, and Putt contest.
Nicole is the daughter of Jeff and Dawn Adam, lives in Pinehurst and is a member of Pinehurst Country Club. Nicole plans to major in a healthcare associated discipline at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill as a member of the golf team.
Serving students from Pre-K3 through Grade 12, The O’Neal School is a college preparatory independent school located in the Sandhills of North Carolina. The School has dual accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS). 100% of its graduates are accepted to colleges and universities throughout the nation. O’Neal is a NC Independent School Athletic Association (NCISAA) school and competes in the Eastern Plains Independent Conference (EPIC). Go to www.ONealSchool.org<http://www
