Janai’s Story About Jill

Traditionally, golf is predominantly played by men and it is more likely to be introduced to the game of golf by a male figure. My story and my love for this game is special because of the unique and uncommon beginning, my mother Jill. My mother introduced me and my two sisters to golf when I was only 8 years old. We started out by tagging along with her to the driving range. She witnessed our love for golf grow and enrolled us in lessons with a private instructor. We soon began playing junior tournaments through multiple junior golf organizations. Through junior golf, we met incredible people and I’ve learned the most valuable lessons about life that I carry with me to this day. Without the financial investment, time, and love from our mom, my sisters and I wouldn’t have been able to be at every golf lesson, practice, and tournament for the span of 10 years.

In 2013, my mom was diagnosed with cancer, and she unexpectedly passed away a few months later. Even though she’s gone, her love of golf still lives in all of us. Since she passed, I’ve always felt the closest to my mom when I’m on the golf course. I feel so blessed that I have a way to feel connected to her each and every day. If I hadn’t had golf in my life to keep me close to the memory of my mom, I don’t know where I would be today. I want to share my love of golf and provide the same opportunity to young kids because it changed my life forever.