Sarasota Athlete of the Week: Alana Kutt

Alana Kutt is a Sarasota-area girls golfer who attends IMG Academy as a senior. Kutt signed with Coastal Carolina University in November. 

When did you start playing golf?

I had a club in my hand at 3 years old and I started playing tournaments when I was 6. My first was at Magnolia Golf Club in Orlando. I've done it ever since. It's just a God-given gift, is what I say. 

What is the appeal to you?

I love the challenge it brings me, but I also love the experiences it has brought into my life and the people I have met through it. Especially this past year, I have fallen in love with the game again and everything it has taught me. 

What is your best skill?

My short game. That's my go-to. It's natural for me, but it is also what I work on the most. I'll play 18 holes just working on chipping and up-and-downs. It's all about feel. 

What have you been working to improve?

My mental game. I want to stay in the moment and stay positive. I don't want to get ahead of myself, because in this sport it is easy to do that. 

What is your favorite memory?

I played a USGA Women's (Open) qualifier at Worcester Country Club in 2022. I was coming off a bad hole where things just did not go my way, so I was a little mad walking to the tee of the next hole. I turned around and saw a little girl and her dad watching me, because this was basically a pro event. Seeing them brought me back to when I was her age and how it all started. It calmed me down and I pounded the next drive down the fairway. That's one of my favorite moments. 

Why commit to Coastal Carolina?

Well, the coach (Katie Quinney) was welcoming and supportive of me from the beginning. That was big. Seeing the campus, it was just what I wanted: It's smaller, everyone kind of knows each other, but you're still playing a legit Division I schedule. It checked all the boxes for me. And when I met the other girls on my official visit, they were the same as the coach. They wanted be to be there. 

What is your favorite food?

I love pho. It has always been a favorite. 

What is your favorite school subject?

I like the composition and marine science classes I have this year. I know people don't usually like both English and science but this year I do. 

What are your hobbies?

I play the ukulele on the side. But when I have downtime now I'm usually spending time with my friends and with my youth group and church. 

Which superpower would you pick?

Oh, I talk about this all the time. Not to sound like "Avatar: The Last Airbender," but I would want to control one of the elements. Water, fire, air, Earth. That would be so cool. 

What is the best advice you have received?

Don't care about what other people think. In this sport, it is easy to let other people's perceptions influence you. And to add on to that, know that you are not just a number. You are a person. Being a part of a sport does not define who you are. You are you. 

Finish this sentence: "Alana Kutt is …"

Passionate. I'm passionate about everything I do. If something can't be done with 120% effort, I'm not going to do it.