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Our Story
Our Story
When I first started the junior golf camp, it was because I dreamt of having something like this for myself when I was a junior getting into the game. I almost quit golf in my pre-teen years because I was jealous that in other sports you get to spend time with friends while playing said sport. I want to encourage more children into the game of golf & foster an environment of healthy competition, friendship making & fun.
I was very thankful I did not quit when I got signed to the University of the Southwest in Hobbs, NM. When I met my team at USW, I immediately fell back in love with the game because I finally had other girls to practice & play the game with.
The girls on my team quickly became my best friends, as we did everything together. It was heartbreaking to head home during the pandemic and leave my friends. However, we stayed in touch with frequent Facetime and group chat messages. Our team was kept close because of one teammate who cared about each of us so profoundly. Her name was Karisa, AKA Lil Red.
On March 15, 2022, Karisa aka Lil Red texted each one of us teammates from the original USW team, telling us about how amazing of a golf round she had in a tournament that day. It was her career low.
That same day, the USW team bus got in an accident heading home from the tournament. With only two survivors, Lil Red was not one of them. From that day on, I would never speak, play golf or laugh with my friend again.
When Red passed, I knew I wanted to do something in her honour. Red was the kindest human being I have ever met. She would give you the shirt off her back. Red was a classic, sassy redhead with a huge heart of gold.
But outside of that, she was one of my best friends because of the way she looked at the world. She inspired me to see things differently. Red was legally blind & still played the game of golf. That is why I chose to name my junior program after her. My goal has always been to make golf fun and accessible. Red was blind & still played the game, & she is the reason I found the fun in the game; it made total sense.
and with that, the Lil Red Golf Camp was born.
Red's parents started a charity golf tournament to raise money for a scholarship in honour of Red. This year they held their first annual Lil Red Hot Scramble & the original USW team was able to attend & I was reunited with my best friends.
While we acknowledged the absence of our bestfriend & missing member of the crew, we know she was with us the whole day. I plan on attending the tournament as much as possible so if you are wondering where I am in my weeks off during the summer, Ill be there.
I have big big dreams for the Lil Red Golf camp & hope to one day make it bigger & better. In honour of my bestfriend, I will keep pushing to make golf accessibe & fun for all juniors.
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