2018- The Year of Growth

A Year in Reflection

2018 is about to come to a close and it just flew by.

2018 was a crazy year of travel, tournaments and learning. I started the year down under in sunny Australia, which was so much fun and then returned to compete the rest of the year in the States. My heart definitely missed traveling abroad, but I got to see new states and places in my own home country, which was great! I am so grateful for another year of getting to pursue what I love, but honestly I am happy this year is ending and the new year is coming.

This was a difficult year that included early injury, mid-season underperformance and then heartbreak to finish. This second full season on tour stretched me in ways I didn’t even know were possible, making it a time of tremendous growth. It wasn’t at all how I pictured it going in my head, but I know there is purpose in the struggle and I learned so much. Despite the challenges I faced this year, I am the closest I’ve been to reaching my goal of playing on the LPGA, and I am more motivated than ever to keep improving.

This year was full of memories—jet skiing in South Carolina, boating in Michigan, summer state fairs, multiple road trips through Chicago, and so much more. That being said, my favorite adventure was my time in Australia. The beaches, the landscape, and the city design all made me go “AHHH!” And the the people, the lifestyle and the food were also amazing.

I met new people and welcoming host families, explored the cutest coffee shops and attractions, and played beautiful golf courses! I also visited old friends in the area, and got to see the secret spots that only locals know about—which is always the best. I loved Australia, and if it wasn’t quite so far, I would seriously consider moving there!

Top left: lookout point on the Barwon heads trail in Victoria

Top right: enjoying a flat white outside Native Home, House of Plants Coffee shop in Melbourne

Bottle right: obligatory photo in front of the Sydney Opera House

Now onto the golf. This past year, I played a few more events on the European tour and my first full season on the Symetra tour, and it was an absolute whirlwind. Looking back, it was full of experiences that really challenged me. Playing on Symetra was different than playing abroad, and I did not adapt as quickly or as well as I had hoped. Some may find that rather interesting, because a rookie season in numerous foreign countries sounds challenging, but I think the distance actually helped me. Every new country was a new adventure, and I think that helped me stay super present. I was free and having fun, and wasn’t as caught up with performance, which I struggled with this year.

What I needed to do was focus on my process, but instead I was fixed on outcomes and scores. I put way more pressure on myself, and started to miss cuts by one and two which took a huge emotional toll. Three quarters of the way through the season I was so mentally tired and returned home to rest and recharge for a month. I thought I was super mentally tough and I realized that I really am, but I also came to the discovery that no matter how good my mental game is, focus and energy directed toward the wrong places will not set me up for success.

With this late season revelation, I regrouped and went into the 2nd stage of Q school rested and ready to go. I made it through 2nd and entered Q series, the 8 round marathon at Pinehurst to get an LPGA tour card, and focused on the present and on my own process. However, after 2 weeks of golf, I fell just short of getting my card. I was so close, which makes it even more painful, but it was an incredibly valuable experience that is propelling me into next year. All areas of my game were tested this year, and I did not always pass those tests, but like the title of this blog post says—it was a year of growth. I always set out with lofty goals. I didn’t achieve all of them, and was so close to reaching the biggest one, but I end the year truly believing that I have what it takes to get to the highest level and compete. 

Highlights:

People, Places, and Little things that kept me going

Friendship

This was one of the things that really helped me through the year. Weekly travel was hard at times, but friends in different cities along the way have made a huge difference. I love staying connected with the people I meet everywhere I go. Cultivating lasting friendship makes visiting the same places you’ve been before that much more fun. It has been so special to go back to not just another city, but to friends and people I care about and can’t wait to catch up with!

CAmp Kesem

The summer was a busy time of tournaments, but I made sure to find a week to go back to Camp Kesem* as a Camp Advisor (CA)! Kesem was a really special part of my time in college, so I really wanted to go back in a new role as an advisor. This summer I got the privilege of serve as CA at Florida State University.

It was so much fun to get a break from the tournament grind and have a week at camp that put things back into perspective for me. I had been on the road for weeks, so consumed with golf and my own world, I forget about other things going on around me. Camp showed me that I love golf and that’s definitely what I am supposed to be doing right now, but there are lot of other things that I am passionate about as well.

Camp reminded me that I have a deep love for people and creating a space for kids to experience joy, community and feel safe to be who they are. Kesem is so special because we spend time every night in our cabins talking about real things going on in our lives. We share vulnerability, but support each other through it. This is something that is so important, and camp reminded me that we need to be unafraid to ask the harder, deeper questions, because if we don’t listen and ask, who else will? Camp was such a memorable week for me and I can’t wait to go back again next year!

*Camp Kesem is a free summer camp for kids who have parents affected by cancer, and it is a non-profit dear to my heart because cancer has affected my own family. Kesem is special because it gives kids a space to be surrounded and supported by other kids who have had similar experiences. Cancer forces a lot of kids to grow up quickly and camp is a place where kids can just be kids for a week!

Balance

Traveling and playing every week can take a lot out of you. And while some may not agree, life is not ALL about golf. Learning balance was big for me in 2017, but I lost my footing a bit this year and had to remind myself of its importance. I got so focused on results mid-season, I forgot to do what made me happy, which is balancing golf and practice with non-golf related things on the road! Everyone has a different process and routine and I was realized the importance of sticking to my own. I spent a few too many weeks on the road, and not quite enough time with my coaches. Understanding my needs and committing to them created more balance, which helped me preform much better at the end of the season. I will be carrying this into next year!

New EXPERIENCES

It is always so fun doing things I have never done before, and one of these things this past year was fishing! We had a fishing competition at one of our tournaments in Michigan and I caught this bad boy in one of the lakes. I am definitely looking forward to fishing again soon! I love adventuring and saying YES to the new.

I made another hole in one this year! #8 at Lake Merced

The Smaby’s

During an off week, I got to spend time with the Shamby’s, their daughter Amanda and her friends. Amanda and her friends play on their high school team, so we played some golf, went to the beach and went on the coolest pontoon ride. It was a little blast from the past hanging out with high school girls (even though I am often mistaken for ones), but the time was so sweet. I am super proud of who you are Amanda!

the Morren’s

In small town Kansas, we were also so lucky to be able to stay with the Morren family and their four boys. I met them through a mutual friend from Michigan and it was so special to be able to spend time with them. I never had younger brothers, so they were fun to be with. They made our time in Kansas so memorable—thanks for welcoming us with open arms!

sunset matches in Australia with Anne and Jenny!

Camp Shenanigans

Iconic Pinehurst

Lessons learned

This year of growth came with a lot of lessons that include being patient, trusting the process, staying in the present, resting even when I don’t think I need it and staying in my own lane. Scheduling was a big take away this year for me, as I spent too many weeks on the road and not enough time home resting. Some players play better and get it going after a few tournaments, but I’ve realized I play better after rest. Coming home, practicing with my coaches and being with friends and family is important to me. Next year I will be coming home more. I was so eager to play well this year, I forgot about what got me here in the first place, so moving forward I’ll be sticking to my own routines regardless what other people are doing. I love cute coffee shops, Jesus, adventures, quality time with people AND golf, so I’ll be doing that while I’m on the road. I believe in these lessons and committing to these things will put me in the best position to be the best.

THANK YOU

Thank you for being a part of the journey and growth this past year. I know I didn’t post as much this year on the blog and I’m so sorry! I am still learning the balance of my schedule, my own needs and sharing with you all. Know that I still have so much fun writing, sharing stories, and posting photos. I got a new pro camera about a month ago, so anticipate some more posts next year that may be a little different! Not sure what that will look like yet, but I’m excited to get creative.

Thank you for following me and supporting me in my dreams. I am so grateful to have such amazing friends and family. 2018 was such a huge year of growth for me in so many ways and I cannot wait for a new year of adventure, different challenges and more memories. I can’t wait to continue to connect with amazing new people, travel to unfamiliar territories and keep playing the game I love. Cheers to 2019, and as I journey on I hope you will take this next year as your own year to experience new things, build new friendships wherever you go, and go after your dreams as well! Let’s get after it all together!

Lots of love, 

Dre