My Golf History

I first started golfing when I was 10 years old. I remember the first time I went to Wilcox Oaks, the local golf course. I had never been anywhere like it in my life. My early childhood began much more country than country-club, but when my mom remarried, the cowgirl boots were off and the polos were on. My step-dad was an avid golfer. He signed me up for a summer golf program that had a golf lesson taught by a PGA Pro, followed by practice holes once a week. I then spent the next 6 of my summers at the golf course. This experience meant I would be one of the few girls who were interested in my sport. I was always outnumbered by the boys, but I loved that. I loved competing against my older brother and his friends. I spent my summer nights out on the course under the stars playing “glo-ball” or swimming in the pool.

Wilcox Oaks Golf Course in Red Bluff, CA

Driving Range

Being a competitor, I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of playing against the boys, but I wasn’t very good. It didn’t come naturally. I was athletic, so I could get by, but it took years of practice to develop my game. The first serious shift in my game came in high school when I took lessons from another female golfer. She drilled into me the precise body movements, swing plane, and mentality I needed to actually be considered a golfer. I played in the number one position on my highschool golf team my freshman year. Our highschool barely had enough girls to even form a team, so it wasn’t that great of a feat, but I thrived and enjoyed my time traveling to other courses around the North State of California. I won a few and lost a few matches. Unfortunately there wasn’t enough interest in girls golf my sophomore year, so I didn’t play on the team. My family all golfed, so I continued to play casually for the next few years; taking it up more seriously again after I graduated from college.

Wilcox Oaks hole #4

Golf was hard. Scratch that- golf is still hard. But that's what makes it great. 20 years later, it is still impossible to get bored with, because it is relentlessly challenging and your game is always getting better or worse depending upon how much you are practicing. Golf is different from other sports because it is fully an artform. You have to be aware of how every part of your body is moving, but if you focus on it too much, you'll mess up. It has to be practiced to the point of second nature. It should flow through you as you swing. This has always been the most frustrating part for me. I have always been an athlete, but I played other sports where I could use brute strength or speed or agility to win. This game wasn't like that. The harder you swing, the more likely you are to hit a shot in the wrong direction. The discipline it takes to have control in your movements and your mind is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. 

Women’s Tournaments

I currently travel and play competitive golf as an amatuer. I compete as a member of women’s invitational teams in Oregon and California. I am also on the Wilcox Oaks Ladies team. We compete each year against neighboring women’s golf clubs in a match play style format. Last year, our team took 1st in our league. I also play couples golf with my husband, Chris. We get to travel around to amazing courses and compete together. I also compete at local club events as an individual, but prefer a team aspect. So that's where I am at right now. Who knows what the future holds for my golf life, but I can’t wait to keep pushing myself in order to find out!

At the Rogue Valley Country Club Women’s Invitational Golf Tournament in Medford, OR