Calm, focused, and quietly competitive, golfer and junior at Granite Bay High School, Sakura Watanabe has become a key leader for the girls’ varsity golf team. With multiple under-par rounds and a top finish at the David Oxley Memorial Invitational, Watanabe’s strong season and steady leadership have earned her the title of Athlete of the Month.
This season, Watanabe has continued to shine both on and off the course, showcasing her talent in some of the year’s biggest events. She earned a spot in the prestigious Pure Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach, where she competed among the nation’s top junior golfers, and helped lead Granite Bay to a victory at the Cowboy Classic just days later.
“The best moment in golf this season was when my team came to watch me play in the Pure Insurance Championship and later win the Cowboy Classic with my team all in the same week,” Watanabe said.
Girls varsity golf coach Jason Sitterud praised Sakura’s thoughtful strategy and competitive mindset.
“She is very detailed and understands that it is the little things that produce big results,” Sitterud said. “She also plays her best in the big events, which says a lot about her focus and composure.”
Sakura’s preparation for tournaments reflects her disciplined and calm nature. Whether it’s spending extra time on the range, walking through course strategies, or focusing on her mental game, she approaches each event with the same steady mindset that’s helped her succeed all season.
“I prepare for tournaments by just making sure that I have the foundation of my swing and routine solidified so I can go into the tournament confident,” she said. “What I’ve improved most this season…being able to enjoy my sport and my team rather than being super stressed about it.”
Her motivation stems from the supportive team culture at Granite Bay. The encouragement from her teammates drives her to keep improving, and the strong bond they share turns every practice and tournament into something more meaningful than just competition.
“What I enjoy most about playing for GB is the people,” Sakura said. “I have so much fun spending time with my teammates… As a team, we always go to Starbucks and get some drinks and food before a tournament.”
Teammate Khloe Chao described Sakura as both focused and fun to play with.
“Sakura is super dedicated and always fun to play with,” Chao said.
Looking ahead, Sakura and her teammates are pushing to finish the season strong, aiming to replicate Granite Bay’s storied past from their first-ever CIF State girls golf team championship to multiple league, NorCal, and section titles.
“Some goals that we have as a team are to win NorCals and make it to the State Championship again,” Sakura said.
Coach Sitterud is confident that Sakura’s best golf is still ahead.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing her play in the playoffs,” he said. “She’s hitting her peak at the perfect time.”
With her dedication, leadership, and love for the game, Sakura Watanabe is more than deserving of being Granite Bay’s Athlete of the Month, and her golf career is only just getting started.
