EDITOR'S NOTE: Kennesaw State men's golfer Wyatt Larkin has returned to competitive action after recovering from a serious injury that sidelined him for most of his junior season. Following nine months of extensive rehabilitation, Larkin enjoyed a successful return to tournament action when he captured medalist honors at the Yamaha Atlanta Open in June. He recently took time to chronicle his year and the following is his story in his own words.
 
 
Being on the first tee again was a rush that I missed. The feeling of being on the course is consuming, and makes the fairways and surroundings shrink. With my mind narrowed and focused, it was time to compete and do what I love. The first tee shot at the Yamaha Atlanta Open was the culmination of excitement, frustration, and hard work that had built up over time. I knew it was going to be a good day after I stepped up to the first tee and hit that first shot. The ball left the clubface and went straight down the middle of the fairway.
 

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"I would struggle with inconsistences. However, throughout the event, I played well and found myself hitting the shots I visualized and imagined. I stuck to my game plan, and my reward was a win."

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Playing in the Atlanta Open was a success in itself. After suffering an injury last fall, I was just happy to be participating in the event. With nine months off from competitive play, my intent was to put two solid rounds together and keep a level mindset knowing I would struggle with inconsistences. However, throughout the event, I played well and found myself hitting the shots I visualized and imagined. I stuck to my game plan, and my reward was a win. Being in the winner's circle again felt great. I hadn't won an event since the summer before enrolling at Kennesaw State in the fall of 2014.

Competing is what I train for and why I play the game of golf. I knew since my first competitive round at the age of five, golf was going to be my future and I was hopeful of making a living playing the game. Winning the Atlanta Open has been the highlight of my career.
 
I improved my game in many ways during the spring season of 2016 and found success with the team. We competed in the NCAA Franklin Regional hosted by Vanderbilt, and had several solid finishes throughout the year, including winning the ASUN Conference championship.
 
I was able to carry that momentum into my junior season and the first two fall tournaments before learning of my injury. I played outstanding golf leading up to the events after a long struggle to find success in my college career. After shooting 7-under par to finish ninth at the Carpet Capital Intercollegiate, I had renewed confidence heading into the Franklin American Mortgage Intercollegiate at The Grove in Tennessee.
 
After the second round, I began to feel pain in my lower back and it continued to get worse as the night went on. When I awoke the morning of the third round, I could not post on my left side nor take a club back to begin a swing. I immediately asked Coach (Bryant) Odom to contact an athletic trainer and I was able to receive some physical therapy that included stretching exercises. I struggled to hit four balls on the range prior to the round. The pain felt worse and I considered withdrawing.
 
I spoke with Coach Odom and my father who was there with my sister to watch the final round. I told them I would do my absolute best and play until I could play no more. After my first tee shot, I found myself kneeling on the ground and in severe pain. At that point, I knew it was going to be a long day. Through the pain and focus it took to play, I wound up shooting 3-under par 69 and tied for fourth – my best collegiate finish.  
 
Following the event at The Grove, I went to get an MRI. I received news that I had suffered a Pars Defect – a stress fracture on my L5 vertebrae. The doctors and the trainers immediately told me to hang up the clubs for four to six months and that I could not do any physical activity until cleared. I was required to wear a brace that would limit my walking and head movement.
 

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"My main feeling of disappointment came from letting down those around me. I felt like a failure to those who worked so hard to help me throughout the years."

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My initial reaction was anger and frustration. I had no idea how I was going to survive the time without doing anything, especially not being able to play the game I love. I found myself not knowing what to do, and having a thought of not having purpose. My main feeling of disappointment came from letting down those around me. I felt like a failure to those who worked so hard to help me throughout the years.
 
However, I did find grounding and support from God, my family, my girlfriend, and my friends in the Kennesaw State athletic department. In a way, those people kept me sane and put me on the road to becoming a better person. I had to find a way to feel worthy without playing the game of golf. I felt I could still help the team and encourage my teammates in other ways than just playing golf. I followed them to 5:30 a.m. workouts and to practices when school allowed. I also found myself mentoring and becoming a team leader. I tried my best to be a part of the team, even though I was only able to walk on flat surfaces and limited to what I could do.
 
The team seemed to play well during the fall and spring seasons. Several of the players stepped up to the plate in my absence and kept the team on a train to success. The team found themselves competing with and beating some of the best teams in the country. Their success ended with a trip to the NCAA Championships. Sitting on the sidelines was hard. I could only imagine myself teeing off and playing. This allowed me to continue working on my game without having to swing a club.
 

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"I even found myself hitting to imaginary flags while walking to class. I did everything I could do to practice in my mind and keep the feel of the game."

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Prior to injury, I was reworking and reforming my view of the mental side of the game. Talking with my good friend and swing coach of 16 years, Craig Forney, we decided I could work on visualizing and imagining the golf swing and playing courses I had played in the past. I continued to do this every day when I had the chance. I even found myself hitting to imaginary flags while walking to class. I did everything I could do to practice in my mind and keep the feel of the game.
 
Going through the injury and rehabilitation was a challenge. Four and half months would pass before I could start activities again. I began with water training, and then onto lower abdominal muscle training with large amounts of stretching routines. The exercises were to focus on the muscles surrounding the injured area and act as a support system for the healing process. The training also would support the muscles used to maintain the posture I needed to hit a golf ball. I found myself every day either training with my physical therapist or with the Kennesaw State athletic trainers.
 
It was a drag doing the required workouts. For motivation, I kept the memories I have of wounded Marines and remembered how much they inspired me not to complain about the basic things in life. I knew I could be in a much worse situation than I was. I looked to the "You're never out of the fight," a comment made by Navy Seal Marcus Luttrell, to keep me going and get me to the point where I am now.
 
In February, I received clearance to chip and putt for 30 minutes at a time. I would not find myself hitting a full shot until the beginning of April and was limited to hitting nothing more than a five iron. My first full round of golf came in May and I shot a 65 at Dogwood Golf Club. After that, I knew I had been working on the right things. I felt relaxed and refreshed. I felt free with no restraints.
 
Leading up to the Atlanta Open, I still kept a full schedule of stretching routines and rehab exercises. Playing is only possible if I do the correct stretches and warm up. With my expectations low and wanting only to put together two good rounds, I shot a bogey-free first round. I was excited with the result and was happy I could keep my composure and compete. With the mental side of my game the strongest it has ever been and my confidence soaring, I knew that I could win the tournament. I knew I had to stick to my game plan of playing the ball where I could score my best and staying in a process of one shot at a time.
 
The success I had excited me for the future. It enhanced my self-image and reassured me that I could compete and have the game to play tournaments again. When I return to play with the team this fall, it will definitely be special. Our team is strong and I do believe we will have success. Nothing is better than being on the course in a competitive environment. The fall semester cannot come fast enough.
 
The biggest things I learned through this experience was how visualization and patience is important. Since the injury and during the recovery and rehabilitation time, I imagined playing a lot of golf. I watched old videos of my swing and visualized success. This kept me hungry and occupied a time where the only other thing to do was schoolwork.
 
I also reassured myself with the thought of patience supporting greatness. Goal setting played a large factor in working on fighting the eagerness to do something I wasn't supposed to. In a way, the injury was annoying, frustrating, and I felt it was one of the worst things that could happen.
 
However, in the end, it was the best learning experience of my life. It allowed me to sit down and examine why I do what I do, and what my purpose is. In the end, the injury proved to be a reset. I enjoy playing more and the drive to get better has never been stronger.
 
I have learned the pain of discipline is much sweeter than the pain of regret. I did what I had to and it is beginning to pay off. I hope I can go injury free for a long time, but the lessons I learned will continue with me in the future. I am happy that I can share with and mentor the people around me, and I hope I can be an inspiration for someone that needs it.
 
Thank you to everyone who has helped me through the process of healing.
 
                Wyatt Larkin
               
 
 
Keep up with Owls men's golf by following KSU on Twitter @KSUOwlNation and @KSUOwlsMGolf or by liking Kennesaw State Owls on Facebook.
 

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