ALAMANCE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL -

At Alamance Christian School, we often talk about the "Warrior Spirit"—a blend of competitive excellence, personal humility, and faith. As he prepares to graduate and take his game to the collegiate level, senior Holden Yakola stands as a great example of that spirit in action.

A Dynasty on the Green

Having been with the ACS community since 6th grade, Holden did more than just join the golf team - he helped build a dynasty. His grade-level journey mirrors the ascent of the program itself. After a third-place finish in 7th grade and a runner-up spot in 8th, he became a cornerstone of three consecutive state championship teams. In his final year, and later this week, the team stands a tremendous opportunity of being the first and only four-time, consecutive state champion at ACS.

While his talent was evident early—he first picked up a club at age four—it was the summer before his freshman year when the "golf bug" truly bit. "I loved playing in the tournaments because of the competition to win," he shares. "It brought me joy just to be out there, even on a bad day."

Leadership: Beyond the Scorecard

For many, golf is a solitary sport. Yet, Holden sees it as a platform for leadership. His definition of a leader is someone who takes ownership and "lives what they preach."

"You can be a great spokesperson, but if you do not live out what you ask of your teammates, they will not follow you or respect you," he says. On the course, he models that statement through a selfless brand of captaincy. Rather than focusing exclusively on his own match, he knows the importance of checking on his teammates mid-round. "When I pass teammates on the course, I ask how they are doing and encourage them... it is easy to shut down when a bad round happens, so I feel responsible to help them get and keep their mind right."

The Next Chapter: Guilford College

After being accepted by several universities, Holden chose to continue his academic and athletic career at Guilford College in nearby Greensboro. The decision was a strategic one, influenced by Guilford's strong golf program, the state-of-the art facilities, and a desire to stay in a climate where his game can thrive year-round.

Making Guilford even more attractive, he was selected for the inaugural class of the Business Fellows program, which adopts a cohort-based structure for ambitious students. This cohort meets weekly, takes shared coursework, and engages in specialized projects. "I chose it for the opportunity to be a part of something new," Holden explains.

The program is rigorous, requiring a higher level of commitment and offering high-level professional exposure. A cornerstone of the fellowship is an internship opportunity by junior year, placing students directly into corporate environments to gain "real-world" experience. For Holden, that means he leaves Guilford with a degree and a golf record—but he also has built a professional network and earned valuable, business experience.

Lessons Learned and Advice Given

Reflecting on his time at ACS, Holden credits the school with pushing him outside of his comfort zone. Though known as an athlete, he found unexpected joy in fine arts, participating in chorale and choric speaking during his underclassman years. "Test yourself with new experiences," he advises. "You never know what you might be good at." This year, he also serves as the school's chaplain.

When asked what advice he would give to his 12-year-old self—or any young athlete—his answer was rooted in a relentless pursuit of growth. "No matter how good you think you are or what you have accomplished, you just have to keep getting better," Holden shared, noting it is the phrase he lives by most. In continuing that thought, he added, “If you are the biggest fish in the pond, it’s time to find a lake." 

It is this constant hunger for growth—the refusal to settle for "good enough"—that led him to enter the 2024-25 Winternational Junior Series at Pinehurst. This seven-event series is by application only with a limited number of spots available. Holden participated in 5 of the 7 matches, winning two, and earned enough points to claim the top spot - Player of the Year (see the article in the Alamance News).

Rooted in Faith

Underpinning his success is a firm spiritual foundation. His favorite scripture, Romans 12:1-2, serves as a roadmap for his life: a call to present himself as a living sacrifice and to be transformed by the renewing of his mind.

As Holden trades the ACS blue and red for Guilford’s crimson and white, he leaves behind a legacy of championships, but more importantly, a blueprint for what it means to lead with integrity. We look forward to watching him thrive in a "bigger lake" next year.