Each week during the school year the Sarasota Herald-Tribune selects girls athletes that stood out the week before based on a combination of coach reports and school nominations sent to sports htincoming@gmail.com and our coverage. Those athletes are put in a poll sponsored by Central Florida Behavioral Health Network, Inc. each Monday on heraldtribune.com and you, our readers, vote on who you think did it best. To get to know our winners better, the Herald-Tribune will have a question-and-answer session with each athlete weekly.
The Herald-Tribune Girls Athlete of the Week sponsored by Central Florida Behavioral Health Network for Oct. 27-Nov. 1, 2025, was Out-of-Door golfer Brooklyn Cullen who won the poll with 73.65% of the vote. Cullen led ODA to a second-place finish at the Class 1A District-11 tournament with a second-overall 72.
When and why did you start playing golf?
Cullen: I started playing golf when I was 6 years old. I was living in Hawaii, so there were some really nice courses out there and some good programs, so I started to get into it.
What is your all-time favorite golf memory?
Cullen: I had a hole-in-one over the summer, so that was pretty cool. It was a windy day. It was really exciting. That’s one of my favorite memories.
What has been your favorite moment this season?
Cullen: I had a really good round at the SSAA state championship. I shot one under and won it overall as an individual. That was really exciting. Our team also won it, so that was great for the team.
What has been your most humbling moment in golf?
Cullen: When I rush a shot and it doesn’t work out. Sometimes I’ll move really quickly, and it never helps. It’s the simple mistakes when I don’t take my time. I’ve missed short putts before because I overthink it or rush it.
What is your goal in golf?
Cullen: My goal is to play in college on a D-I college team, and I would love to play pro when I get older.
Who is your favorite golfer and why?
Cullen: My favorite golfer is Nelly Korda. I’ve seen her many times before at local courses and I’ve seen her play in the LPGA. There’s so many great LPGA players, but I’ve had many interactions with her and she’s really nice. And she’s local, so it’s great to see a local player.
Editor’s note: Athlete of the Week Q&As are published in the Sunday sports section.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Herald-Tribune Girls Athlete of the Week winner Out-of-Door Academy golfer Brooklyn Cullen
Reporting by Vinnie Portell, Sarasota Herald-Tribune / Sarasota Herald-Tribune
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