A couple of weekends ago, sophomore Makenzie Minshew played in the LEGENDS TEXAS GIRLS INVITATIONALS (AJGA) tournament in Dallas, placing 2nd in three tough days of competition.
To prepare for the tournament, she made sure she was physically and mentally ready to play through the cold, stormy weather.
Her swinging coach, Cole Smith, and her parents helped prepare her for the tournament, but for this tournament especially, her grandparents were the ones who helped her and kept her positive.
“This specific tournament my grandparents took care of me and helped me stay upbeat while playing in the rain,” Makenzie said.
Her coaches have also been super supportive throughout the tournament/season by giving her swinging advice and helping her maintain a positive attitude about golf. She is also extremely grateful for her mentors and being able to learn from them.
“A coach can make or break someone’s love for a sport and I’m very blessed to have amazing coaches and supporters,” Makenzie said.
Before the tournament, she was excited and looking forward to playing with girls that she had grown up with. The nerves of playing in high-level tournaments faded over the many rounds she played. Instead, she focuses on the opportunity she gets when playing.
Finishing in second place was very thrilling and exciting for her. She also focused less on her ranking, and more on the three awesome scores she put up throughout the tournament in front of college coaches.
“I focused less on the podium ranking and more on the fact I put up three amazing scores through the tough course I played,” Makenzie said. “not to mention it was in front of college coaches who got to see my skill level.”
The hardest part about the tournament for her was the flooded and muddy fairways caused by the bad weather conditions. The easiest part was getting along with her competitors.
“I’ve met so many amazing girls throughout my journey and they make the sport so much more enjoyable,” Makenzie said.
She had incredible scores of 72-69-72 (-3) throughout the three-day tournament which put her 2nd place overall.
