I enjoy playing golf because it challenges me mentally to figure out the problem at hand without getting too emotionally attached to a bad shot. Being able to move on from the shot and continue to play your game is a life skill that could be used in any situation. I play college golf at the D1 level at Howard University. I enjoy playing with other great golfers because they make me fight harder and make me a better golfer from it. I had an injury my junior year, and I lost some of my confidence coming back from my injury. Golf taught me to be resilient and how to trust in my own ability. When a golfer is over the ball, it is beneficial to let go of overthinking ideas and just hit the ball. When it comes to execution, golfers have to ultimately trust in all the time and work they put in and just swing the club. There are so many technical things about golf and it is easy to get lost in it. But, it's important to be able to disconnect from those thoughts when you can. Golf gives me the opportunity to enjoy and embrace nature in its most natural form. I get to see all types of weather and so many different landscapes. Golf has taken me to places I would most likely not see otherwise. As a female golfer, in a male-dominated sport, I have been doubted time and time again. It has been my perseverance that has carried me and allowed me to have to confidence to play at the level I do. The life skills that golf has provided me is well worth the doubts and overlooking I receive. There is an evolution on the rise, providing more women with the opportunities and equal access as our counterparts. With more and women playing at a very high level, we are earning the respect we deserve in the sports. I want to do my part. One of my goals is to begin a golf academy for minorities. Golf is about the ability to hit the ball well, and get it in the hole. It should not matter what one looks like. Golf is a beautiful sport, and every person should have the access to learn it. I am more than proud to be a minority female golfer, playing at an HBCU, with a full team of black women. I am proud to be a golfer.

Golf has changed my outlook on my own life and the opportunities that are sitting in front of me. I am a member of a program that is funded by a four-time NBA Champion and an MVP. He funded the program to promote diversity in the game of golf and give equal opportunity and access to resources. Being a woman of color in the game, I have seen the highs and lows. I have been asked “What am I doing here?” pertaining to why I would be at a public area to practice the game I love. I have also been commended for being black female, pursuing my dreams at the level I currently am. I believe everything happens for a reason. Being a part of Howard University’s Women’s Golf Team, I have been taught to be grateful and to not take anything for granted. I also think that being in the position I am in, it is my duty to carry this experience beyond me. I aspire to start a golf academy for minorities providing them with equal opportunity and resources to learn the game of golf at a high level. Without being exclusive, I would like to just make it an equal playing field for all. It can possibly be an endless train of receiving and giving to the next generation. I personally have been inspired my dad, who is also my coach. I started learning at age 7, playing it as just a hobby as well as running track. I took the game more seriously my junior year of high school, and have not looked back since. Like I preached before, everything happens for a reason. The doors that have opened for me, would not have been possible anywhere else. I continue to be grateful every single day I wake up. I drive that gratitude into a grind. I am beyond dedicated to not only make my dad and family proud, but myself. I chose this game, I chose this mental struggle, and I chose this gift. This scholarship will not only help the dream of performing well at golf, but also furthering my education to be able to spread it. This scholarship will make the time and dedicationI spend on the course and classroom, just that much more worth it. I am part of a revolution diversifying the game of golf and spreading the wealth of wisdom to generations beyond me. This scholarship will not only benefit me, but the dedicated golfers behind me.