An Unlikely Call to the Fairway

For Jenna Smith, a competitive volleyball player at Reinhardt University, the golf course was entirely uncharted territory. When the university’s women's golf team faced a critical shortage of players—needing four to field a full squad—the call went out to other athletic programs. Smith, despite having almost zero experience with the sport, decided to step up. She was joined by teammates from the volleyball squad, turning a desperate logistical situation into a profound personal challenge.


Facing the Inevitable: A Tournament Trial

The transition was far from seamless. Smith’s debut at the Appalachian Athletic Conference tournament resulted in a score of 295-over-par, finishing 289 strokes behind the tournament winner. Early rounds were marked by double-digit scores on individual holes, including an 8, a 12, and a 21. However, rather than focusing on the embarrassment of the numbers, Smith chose to view the tournament as a series of incremental improvements.


«I crave uncomfortable situations because I know that’s going to push me to think about things, talk to different people. Think about how I’m going to get through it,» Smith explained.

The Lesson Behind the Numbers

While the initial reaction from the veteran golfers on the team was one of frustration, the narrative shifted as Smith demonstrated resilience. She treated each round as a learning opportunity, refining her approach and lowering her scores as the tournament progressed. Her commitment to the process served as a powerful reminder to her teammates about the nature of athletic identity.


Redefining Success

  • Perspective: Smith emphasized that an athlete's worth is not strictly defined by their performance on a scorecard.
  • Growth: By choosing to embrace the discomfort of being a beginner, Smith found a way to apply her competitive spirit to a completely foreign discipline.
  • Mentorship: Her presence on the team allowed her to share insights about mental health and self-worth with her teammates, reminding them that they are more than the sports they play.

As the tournament concluded, Smith had not only improved her own performance by beating the team's internal betting pool but also gained a new respect for the game. With a renewed mindset and a refined set of clubs, she is already looking ahead to the next season. The story of her 295-over-par performance isn't one of failure, but rather a testament to the courage required to try something new, finish what you start, and find beauty in the struggle.