Well-Balanced O’Sullivan Embracing Next Challenge

By Caitlin Slater

Imagine being crowned the top amateur golfer in the world on your 18th birthday.

This dream became a reality for Hamilton High’s Hannah O’Sullivan.

“I am very humbled and honored to hold this distinction,” O’Sullivan recently told Sports360AZ.com. “It has been a big goal of mine and it was very special to achieve this goal on my 18th birthday.”

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Happy 18th Birthday to @hannah_sos and congrats on a well deserved #1 ranking in women’s amateur golf. May ur journey in golf always be up

— Greg Norman (@SharkGregNorman) May 12, 2016

Celebrating in a rather normal fashion, surrounded by family, O’Sullivan dined at a Japanese restaurant in Scottsdale and by special request her mother provided the dessert in the form of a homemade birthday cake.

When asked if she feels that she lives the “normal” high school life she responded, “Absolutely!”

She attended her senior prom this spring and enjoys the everyday activities of teenagers like Rihanna, The Weeknd, Ariana Grande, One Direction, Justin Bieber, and Shawn Mendes.

When not perfecting her craft on the course you may find O’Sullivan hiking, reading, shopping or spending time with her family.

Although she keeps quite busy she manages to balance golf, school and a personal life very well.

“I am blessed to have several good friends both from school and golf,” she explained. “I have friends in all corners of the U.S. and also in various countries thanks to my golf experiences.”

Despite her unparalleled success she prefers to keep her golf out of the spotlight.

“Most of my classmates do not know that I am a competitive golfer,” She explained. “My high school experience was wonderful,” she said. “I learned so much in the classroom and beyond.”

O’Sullivan started her high school career in Phoenix at Xavier College Prep before transferring and finishing her final two years at Hamilton.

Needless to say she not only made an impact on the course but in the classroom, as well.

“Both schools were excellent,” O’Sullivan said.  “I made good friends at each school and I was able to excel academically. I really enjoy academics and I am proud of my cumulative 4.5 GPA (4.0 unweighted) and my score of 35 on the ACT exam.”

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✌?️out Hamilton!Great memories made in high school & I managed to keep the lifelong straight A streak in tact too??? pic.twitter.com/sOHDpiHl4z

— Hannah O’Sullivan (@hannah_sos) May 25, 2016

O’Sullivan, who first picked up golf at age six, recently decided to continue her dreams of becoming a professional. She turned down an offer to attend the University of Southern California. Although pro golf is in her immediate future she stressed she will definitely pursue her college degree at some point.

At just 18 O’Sullivan has accomplished great things professionally, academically and personally – doing it all with class and humility. Certainly she can do all things.