2020 - A Year of Adaptability
A Year in Reflection
As an unprecedented year comes to a close there is so much to look back on. 2020 brought a public health crisis, increasing awareness of racial injustice, a fraught election, lost loved ones, deferred dreams, delayed plans and lots of difficult conversations. It was a year that forced us to stay home, think beyond our own experiences, challenged our perspectives and caused us to look inward.
2020 began with so much promise. I was excited for the start of a new decade and to have a great season, but the world had other plans. With stay at home orders and canceled tournaments I was home for four months — more time in one place then I had spent in years. It was quite the lifestyle change compared to the on the go traveling I was used to.
Even though this year was not what we expected, I am incredibly grateful for what I learned, the experiences I had and the extra time at home. It pushed me to greater levels of creativity, allowed me to explore some new passions and deepen my roots in San Francisco. This year left a lot to be desired, but I am extremely hopeful for what next year holds.
Golf Recap
This was an interesting year for golf. We played less than half the originally scheduled events. After the first event in February, we didn’t play again until late July. In those months without tournaments the golf courses in San Francisco were also closed. With no golf courses, no gyms, and no tournaments, I was forced to adapt. I started chipping at grassy parks and beaches. I did some online work focused on course management. My coach and I practiced and did swing work into a net on his deck with Trackman. My trainers moved workouts virtually and my friend and I started a small outdoor workout group. Our adaptations in practice and training help me remain productive, so when the season started up again my game and body were ready.
When play resumed in late July, I got off to a bit of a slow, rusty start. I was physically ready, but my brain hadn’t turned back on after all the time home. I got things going in the second event in Arizona and by the middle of the season I finished top 10 in Indiana, which secured my starts for the last couple events in North Carolina. With the decreased number of events this year due to Covid there was no reshuffle or Q-school, so our status on tour will stay the same for next year. I closed the year with another top 10 finish at the Arizona Open earlier this month and now I'm wrapping up the year with some rest and planning. It was a strange year with such little play, but I am grateful for the opportunities we did have! I enter next year motivated to keep improving, building and working the process to become the best I can be.
~HIGHLIGHTS~
memories to keep, lessons to REMEMBER and a grateful heart
This year was different, but it was still full of unforgettable memories. Plans got changed and canceled, but tournaments were eventually still played, I got to take some trips and most importantly I still got to spend time with people I love. Here were some of my favorite moments, people I got to share them with and lessons I learned along the way!
Family and Friends
To be able to travel and golf is such a blessing, but the people, family and friends I get to do it with are what make it so special. This year we got to do so many great things from grand road trips to small picnics. Pre-pandemic we took a family trip to Vegas for the Super Bowl, I got to speak and give my testimony at Athletics in Action back at UC Davis and we had a blind Shake Shack v. In-n-Out taste test. Like the true west coast girl I am, my taste buds chose In-n-Out as the winner.
My community of friends in San Francisco is like family and we are really committed to each other. During the pandemic we unwaveringly supported each other through tough times, celebrated triumphs and found ways to enjoy life together in the midst of everything. My friends stood by me and my family when my grandfather passed away, they celebrated my golf successes and they overwhelmed me with surprises for my birthday in the best way. We adventured in Santa Barbara and Carmel and at the pumpkin patch. We had our struggles, but we did our best to make the most and best out of the year we had.
firsts!
This was a year of many firsts. While it was my first ever global pandemic, it was also my first time tent camping, fishing, and playing Cypress Point.
I loved camping — and the hiking, hammocking, and gathering around the fire that came with it. There is something special about being outdoors, unplugging and being truly present.
Fishing was also a blast! I don’t quite have my sea legs yet and we sadly didn’t catch anything, but I am pumped to go again! I can’t wait to catch a halibut and eat fresh sashimi on board. See below for a picture of me and Rory (our boat co-captain and adventure buddy).
And finally Cypress Point. Where do I event start with Cypress— it was absolutely incredible. One of the most beautiful courses and best golf experiences I’ve ever had! I can’t wait to make all these firsts into regular activities…well maybe not Cypress, but I would love to play again sometime.
Workouts
Working out is a big part of my training for golf and overall wellness, so we had to get creative when gyms closed. A couple of my friends got on board to keep training hard with me and we stayed in great shape. We ran stairs once a week, did beach workouts and field bootcamps. It was awesome to have workout buddies for motivation and accountability. Then, about half way into shelter in place, my dad decided he wanted a garage gym and that was the ultimate game changer!
The garage gym transformation
Currently named “Dre’s Dungeon” but still open to name suggestions
Building the garage gym was a serious project because our garage was a disaster and full of miscellaneous items. I came home one day to find my dad in the garage cleaning — odd because he rarely cleans. The conversation went a little like this:
Me: “Dad what are you doing?”
Dad: “cleaning!” Me: “Why?”
Dad: “Don’t tell your mom, but I’m gonna build a gym in here.”
And well here we are now with a great garage gym — after hours of cleaning and organizing, days of staking the internet for equipment, a few Home Depot runs and a couple amazing friends to help build it all! It’s humble, but it has everything we need and it was a fun quarantine project that will last for years to come.
Mini Apple Handles. & yes I have an apron with my name on it. Thanks mom
new Hobbies: Baking!
The pandemic left us with a lot more time at home and one night I decided to make lemon bars using a few lemons I brought home from a friend’s garden. This spontaneous decision led to a full fledged new hobby of baking. What started with some loafs and muffins turned into pies, cakes and other sweets. I’m definitely still just learning and I have yet to venture into breads or pastry, but I am excited to continue to try new recipes. I’ve also watched a ton of Great British Bakeoff on Netflix and that has inspired me a lot too to push myself to try new bakes.
P.S. If you want a birthday cake or other sweets for a special occasion I’ve got you covered, just shoot me a text! I love baking things for others.
Below are some of my bakes: Lemon Turmeric Loaf, Peach Pie, Wedding Cake, Chocolate Dipped Funfetti Macaroons, Carrot Cake with Carmel Drizzle, Lemon Raspberry Cake and Cupcakes, Me and my assistant with pumpkin cheesecake brownies, Thanksgiving Pumpkin Cake and Chocolate Cake
Lessons Learned
This unexpected year definitely brought a lot of lessons. I tried to stay focused on things I could improve and stay disciplined with fitness, because it was extra easy to get lazy at home. I was reminded of the importance of staying present. It is something I always try to stay mindful of, but I got an extra dose of it this year with so many canceled plans. I had weddings and trips on my calendar, but instead of looking ahead and being excited for events that may not happen, I tried to enjoy what was in front of me. I cherished the times I got to spend with friends in the city and at the tournaments we did have. This year was challenging, but it brought me back to the valuable foundations and important skills needed to be a great athlete and person.
Thank you
I am really excited for what’s ahead in 2021. A new year of new opportunities and experiences. Thank you for your continued support. I am so grateful to have such amazing people in my life who are on this journey with me. Whether you were a host, a caddie, a friend, a tour mate, on my team, family, or even someone that I met in passing that made me smile, your love and care was felt. Thank you to everyone who is walking alongside me as I pursue my dreams.
I am grateful that the Symetra Tour made it possible for us to still compete. I am grateful that I was still able to workout with friends in SF and virtually with my trainers in Seattle. I am grateful that I was able to continue to build and strengthen my community at home and on the road. And I am so grateful that I get to continue to compete in a sport I love. 2020 showed me that I am resilient and adaptable and can make the best of any circumstance. I reoriented, reevaluated, adapted the plan and kept moving forward.
As the new year quickly approaches, there is definitely a sense of anticipation for a great year. I know this year was filled with many emotions and everyone experienced this year differently. But, I hope that you enter 2021 with a renewed sense of hope and purpose. I hope you find joy in the mundane, try new things and take time to reconnect with old friends. I hope next year is one of successfully achieved goals, flourishing community and joy filled hearts.
Thank you to everyone who has encouraged, believed, and pushed me to be my best. And extra gratitude to my team and partners Richard, Tom, Ralph C, Harry, Shawn, Yvonne, Ralph B, Nike, Stitch Golf, Lake Merced Golf Club and Ave. I couldn’t do it without you. There is so much more to come and I look forward to what God has in store. All the best to everyone! Stay safe.
Lots of love,
Dre