I got into golf at the age of 9. Golf does not run in my family, and my parents were not the ones who placed a club in my hands. I first was introduced to golf at a summer camp at my local driving range. It was a hot week in the middle of July, yet I enjoyed every moment of it. My parents made the decision to find a coach and sign me up for a lesson. They found Eric MacCluen, who is still my swing coach to this day.

Through golf, I discovered the definition of a strong work ethic. I was seen as a “late bloomer” to the game of golf, but that did not stop me. I was determined to live out my dream of playing college golf, a dream I discovered when I was 10. With my parents support, along with my coaches, I signed to play Division II golf at Converse University in South Carolina.

I arrived on campus for freshman year, and quickly realized in the first few weeks that this was not the experience I had imagined. I knew there would be challenges, as I was recruited to take the program to the next level, but the challenges I faced no college golfer should ever have to face.

I decided in the fall semester that I was going to transfer at the end of the year. After being in the transfer portal for less than a month and with interest from dozens of Division I schools, I took an offer to play for Bowling Green State University, a Division I school in Ohio. In just my first season there, I broke three scoring records, collected my third collegiate tournament win, and currently hold the lowest single season scoring average in program history. I was also selected second team all conference. And, by the way, I’m majoring in biochemistry; it’s possible to be passionate about golf and science.

I share my stories and experience of junior and college golf to guide those younger than I am with the same dream. College golf is about having fun, learning important life lessons, and most of all, forming friendships for a lifetime.