College: Trinity College

Major: Political Science

In June 2020, I had never played golf. I started caddying at a country club for a COVID-19-safe job with my younger brother, miles beyond my comfort zone. Before my first loop, surrounded by rolling greens, I envisioned 4 hours and 5 miles of unknown. Caddying intimidated me: I had to adapt to each golfer in an unfamiliar environment that wasn’t exactly full of women (shoutout to the club’s other best caddy Caroline Steidley). But I persevered, observing how caddies handled bags and rangefinders, watching where they stepped on greens and fairways. I listened to conversations — how caddies responded to strong drives or missed putts, knowing when to play comrade or subject. I learned their language.

I also learned their dance, noting every move. “153 yards… Front of the green… Wind adds 10… Full 6 iron.” Soon I was making the calls, and I didn’t feel out of place at all. 

I reflect on this time with a fondness now. I was so focused on each moment in front of me, swing by swing and hole by hole, that it took a while to realize what exactly I had accomplished. It was tough to push past golfers’ surprise when they saw a female caddy waiting for them on the range, and I was faced with a huge learning curve. I waded through my own frustration, confusion and hesitancy, and now the course is my safe haven. I relish the 7 a.m. sunrises on the first tee, the satisfying crack of a clean swing, my brother and I dissecting each loop on the way home. It’s more than that, though. I cracked open the door to the boy’s club; I’ve learned I can master a foreign skill, and maybe even love it. 

Now, when faced with obstacles — college applications, my crappy dad or even college-level calculus problems — I know I have the grit in me to overcome them, and to do it with grace and authenticity. I’ll carry each swing and each step with me to the next four years and beyond.