For many Henryettans, professional golf is something to watch on televisions.
Two HHS golfers were able to experience that first hand and feel the excitement.
Skylar Smallwood and Abbi Green participated in the Northwest Arkansas championship tournament this past week and brought home memories that will last a lifetime.
“It was a life changing experience,” said Green. “It is so different walking with them than watching it on television,” Smallwood added.
Both were volunteer workers at the tournament carrying the standards that show the golfers’ names and their scores.
The pair were invited to attend by Gayle Machetta who has been giving local girls the opportunity to witness professional golf first hand for a number of years. She opens her mother’s home to the girls for the week and walks with them throughout most of the activities.
Smallwood, an eighth grader, said participating in the tournament allowed her to see first hand the interaction between the players and the caddies as well as feel the excitement of the crowds.
Sticking in her mind is the time when one of the golfers hit a bad shot out of a bunker only to watch it roll into the water. “She went on to par that hole then birdied the rest.
For Green, she witnessed a hole in one, something that all golfers strive for but few obtain. That came when Mel Reid saw her drive go into the cup on the 135-yard number 11 hole. “That was cool,” she said. “It’s something I’m going to strive to do.”
Both girls were exposed not only to some of the best golfers in the LPGA, but also met players from all around the globe. Players making up the field came from England, France, China, Japan and Korea.
They were delighted during the week to be in the groups that included some of their favorite golfers including Lydia Ko, Ai Miyazato, Mariah Stackhouse and Stacy Lewis.
Green carried the standard for the tournament winner, So Yeon Ryu, and shows off the signed golf ball from Ryu.
Smallwood was enjoying the fan interaction with Stacy Lewis. She is an Arkansas University grad and was greeted by the razorback call frequently. “That was cool.”
“This is a great experience for the girls who have participated over the years,” Machetta said. “We have had a number of golfers who have gone on to earn golf scholarships.
One of the best opportunities for teens who want to stay in the sport is at the University of Central Oklahoma at Edmond. Machetta said that college offers a program that would teach everything from golf course management to business management. At the end of the four years, students can graduate with a degree as well as receive membership in either the PGA and LPGA.
With Smallwood and Green was Eufaula high golfer Hannah Sullivan. Even though the two schools have competed on the course numerous times, the girls found common ground by enjoying a week of professional golf.