New Mexico State golfer Aidan Thomas brings a small book with him everywhere he goes. The hand-sized leather book, with "The Power of Prayer" inscribed in gold letters, contains short prayers on each page.
He opens the book daily, reflecting on the prayer and how it relates to his life off the course. Then, he writes.
"No matter the result, I can say that I've tried and I attempted to succeed."
"Loose with left hand grip, neutral, feel right hand connect."
"Good job refocusing and collecting myself."
This process, a mix of daily prayer, affirmation and reflection has fueled the sixth-year golfer's performance and mental toughness.
"I feel like that kind of helps calm my mind down whenever things get racing," he said. "It helps me reset."
Thomas said his daily practice brings him closer to his faith, a tradition deeply intertwined with his Native American heritage.
"My Native American heritage has impacted my golf career in the traditional stuff we do. We have prayers. My relatives, my dad, my mom, they pray for me," he said. "The prayer they have for me and the prayers I do; it is instilled in me."
Thomas' family members not only introduced him to his spirituality, they also introduced him to golf. His uncle taught Thomas and his older brother, Tyrone, to golf at a young age. Being the younger sibling, Thomas said he fell in love with the sport partly in a quest to become better than his big brother. Thomas and his brother would often hit the golf course together, honing their technique and igniting a healthy sibling rivalry.
Aidan Thomas poses with his trophy after winning the individual championship at the William H. Tucker Invitational in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Thomas grew up in Laguna Pueblo, a reservation 40 minutes west of Albuquerque, New Mexico. In fourth grade, Thomas and his family moved to Bernalillo, New Mexico, and later he went to a Catholic high school called St. Pius X in Albuquerque. Although Thomas struggled to make friends at first after leaving the pueblo, being known as "the golfer" allowed him to bridge the gap.
After high school, Thomas chose New Mexico State to pursue his collegiate golf career and a dual major program with a marketing degree and a professional golf management program.
Thomas said he knows he chose the right school, and his success on and off the course would agree. In his time as an Aggie, he has earned All-America Scholar honors and three consecutive first-team all-conference honors. After taking a year off from competition, he's among the team leaders this year and had three rounds in the 60s during fall play.
Through his success, Thomas wants to show other young Native Americans that they can be college golfers too.
"Native American and being a golfer, you don't really see that too much," he said. "I'm trying to do the best I can to show people that you can get a golf scholarship by coming from the reservation."
Thomas makes an impact on his community through golf clinics for Native youth. In his last camp alone, he taught 25 children about golf and his college career. When the kids ask him for advice, Thomas tells them to focus on school first, to be humble, and to treat their fellow athletes with respect.
He hopes to inspire more young golfers in the future and plans to join the Advocates Professional Golf Association tour, which prepares minority golfers to compete at the highest level of golf.
Whether in his final season of college golf or in his professional career, Thomas knows continuing his practice of prayer and self-reflection will allow him to be the best version of himself on and off the golf course.
"Just going back to my roots and like my spirituality and my family, it means so much to who I am today," he said. "It protects and strengthens me."
