As the sun cast a warm glow over the golf course, I stood at the tee, club in hand, ready to take my first swing. It was a moment of uncertainty mixed with excitement, a journey that began as a junior in high school and would forever transform my world in ways I could have never imagined. This is the story of my personal journey into the world of golf, and how my passion led to the creation of a Golf Casuals dedicated to making the sport accessible and enjoyable for beginners and enthusiasts alike.
Discovering My Passion for Golf
Unlike the stories of childhood prodigies, my journey into golf began in high school. Feeling drawn to the challenge and the promise of an athletic study hall, I stepped onto the course with a mixture of apprehension and curiosity.
As you may have learned from following me on social media, I was a swimmer and a softball player prior to picking up a golf club. There was a new swim coach, whom I knew from a private swim club, coming into the picture and I wasn't too keen on him. I started dreading the idea of swimming for him. So my friends and I began going through all the girls' sports that didn't have cuts or hardly any. Golf popped up.
I figured that playing softball since I was 8 years old would mean that I could swing a golf club. Plus, if I continued to be a two-sport athlete, than I would given athletic study hall instead of gym class. Yup. I picked up the golf club to avoid gym class.
I still remember telling my parents I was going to try out and needed to borrow golf clubs. There was a mixture of emotions, but they found an old set and I was ready for try-outs.
Or so I thought. I learned during the first round of try-outs what “grounding the club” meant and realized that hitting a golf ball was not at all the same thing as a softball.
Collegiate Golf: Division III
Luck was on my side when the university I was applying to early decision with starting a women's varsity golf team I needed to make sure that they had at least five players to have an official team. I put away my softball bat and decided that I was going to give golf a true shot. Mind you I could barely break 100 and I had not even two seasons under my belt.
Go Big Red!
There are so many stories that I would love to get into, but I'm going to leave that for a later date. For now, all you need to know is that I played all for years, including after my L2 was fractured, and I loved every moment. Eventually, I was recognized during my senior year as part of the All-NCAC Second Team.
Navigating the Traditional “Big Club” Scene
After stepping away from golf for six years, I found myself living in a warmer climate surrounded by golf courses. It was time to polish off my irons. However, my excitement was soon tempered by the realization that the golf world often felt exclusive. I found myself grappling with the frustration of outdated stereotypes and the lack of options that resonated with my style. The vision of a golf community that celebrated diversity and embraced all skill levels began to take shape.
Creating a Home for Beginners and Enthusiasts
Driven by my own experiences, I embarked on a mission to redefine the landscape of women’s golf. I attended events hosted by ForeHire, spoke to current collegiate golfers, and joined all the Facebook groups of female golfers to learn about other perspectives. I quickly learned that I was not the only one annoyed for forward tees being called ladies tees and that there is a fear of going to the driving range solo.
October 2022: Driving Range with Brittany Lang
As a result, my initial social media posts about creating golf t-shirts and hats with funny golf phrases emerged into something so much bigger than I could have imagined. I hope that as your take this journey with me you'll see that all of this comes from a place of authenticity, aiming to break down barriers and reshape the narrative. Golf Casuals is not just about golf; we’re about empowerment, growth, and camaraderie. Whether you’re a beginner or a passionate enthusiast, there’s a place for you here.
Teeing Off Together: A Future Fueled by Passion
Every swing taken on the course holds the potential to rewrite a story, and my story is just one among many. The evolution of my own journey has led me to a place where beginners and enthusiasts stand shoulder to shoulder, united by a shared love for the game. Through innovative thinking, a passion for change, and an unshakable belief in the power of inclusivity, we’re teeing off on a new chapter in women’s golf.
As the sun sets behind the horizon, casting a warm glow over the course once again, I watch as others take their swings, each one marking the beginning of a unique narrative. With each swing, we’re not just hitting the ball—we’re hitting stereotypes, limitations, and exclusivity out of the park.
Join me on this journey of reimagining women’s golf, where every shot taken is an opportunity to change the game.
Chelsea
Golf Casuals by C. Lee Golf
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