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Big Ten Conference
Women's Golf

The Husker Family

I often reflect on moments from college that showed me I was a part of a bigger Husker Family. 

One, in particular, was at the Big Ten Championships back in April.

I was about to tee off on 18 on the second day of my final conference tournament. The long par 5 had brought me troubles ever since I was a freshman. Hoping to get the shot over with, I quickly hit my driver, and watched my ball sail towards the right trees.  

My heart sank.

I just remember thinking to myself, not again, and not now. If I lose that ball it would cost my team and I two shots in the tournament. 

At a competitive event like this, those are the types of shots that can ruin it all for you and your team.

As I walked up to try to find the ball, I saw out of the corner of my eye my teammate Megan Whittaker, sprinting towards me. She was playing in the group ahead of me, saw my ball, and came back to show me where it landed. 

This wasn’t normal golf behavior, especially the running -- but it was normal for Megan. She is one of those people that goes above and beyond for everyone. One of those people that makes a good team a great one.

That week, we were a great team. We had more golfers inside the top 20 at conference than every other Husker golf team since 1984. Second at Big Tens and we made history. 

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Not All Heroes Wear Capes

To this day, Megan and I talk a lot about that week. 

She likes to bring up that I won Big Tens individually -- but I quickly tell her I couldn’t have done it without her. Frankly, I couldn't have done it without any of my teammates or coaches.

That's probably the thing I miss the most when looking back on it all — the camaraderie that comes with being on a team. 

I mean, I missed my own graduation when we qualified for NCAA Regionals. I threw on the cap and gown for a quick photograph, but I didn't attend the ceremony because we still had a flight to catch for the postseason.

And I loved every second of it. That was the college experience I signed up for. 

Living out of a suitcase, doing homework on the floors of airports, and being so tired that you would fall asleep in every study room in the stadium doesn’t sound fun. But because it was with my teammates representing our university, it was the time of our lives. 

In my new world of professional golf, all of the activities are the same — but you are by yourself. 

So, I've had to make a few adjustments.

Getting Creative

That loneliness on the road has pushed me to get creative with my spare time, so I'm not always thinking about the next tournament or practice session I’ll have. 

Quite frankly, I currently have four jobs. I've started a business with a partner, Ground Under Repair Design, using my graphic design degree to help golf courses rebrand their logos. I work in a pro shop. I teach ladies golf clinics on Mondays — which tends to be my favorite day of the week now! Oh yes, and I am a professional golfer too.  

Nebraska taught me this though -- they always saw me as more than an athlete.  

What always stood out to me about the Huskers is that everyone there genuinely wanted to see you succeed. 

It doesn't matter if it's your coaches, teammates, academic advisors or any other staff member — they all root for you and want to support you. On and off the field, whether you were starting on your team or redshirting. 

I was empowered to do more than golf within the athletic department. I got to collaborate with other students, run multiple events, and get involved on campus. I got to be a part of real change in an athletic department and within a university. 

The lessons I took away from my time at Nebraska not only made me a better golfer, but it made me a better person and businesswoman. 

I learned so much from the Life Skills department and the internships that the Huskers helped facilitate. Now, I'm taking those tools given to me and applying them in the real world, or at least trying to!

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Keeping the Dream Alive

I'm super grateful for all of the opportunities that have come outside of my sport, but professional golf is still my dream.

Sometimes, distractions are needed to reach your goals and ambitions.

Right now, my eyes are set on earning my LPGA tour card. I was close this year in Q school, but landed on the Symetra Tour instead. I am still a firm believer in everything happens for a reason. 

My parents always used to say, "Kate, you golf the best when you're happy and are yourself."

There are no truer words.

And the people at Nebraska did a brilliant job of making sure I was happy and always 100% myself. 

In general, I attribute all of my success to the people around me. 

It's your support group—the people you surround yourself with—that's going to be a reflection of what you get to experience in life. And I couldn't have asked for better coaches, teammates, friends and family.

And for Nebraska, thanks for taking a chance on me. I hope it paid off for both of us!

My parents always used to say, 'Kate, you golf the best when you're happy and are yourself.' There are no truer words. And the people at Nebraska did a brilliant job of making sure I was happy and always 100% myself.

Kate Smith