Stephanie Rodgers '11 Recruiting Profile

My name is Stephanie Rodgers, I am 18 years old, weigh 135 pounds, and am 5'5'' tall. My dad started me golfing when I was 5 years old. He cut down some clubs and he would bring me along to the golf course just to hit, or I should say try and hit, golf balls around. Since then I have grown up, but I haven't lost my interest in the game of golf. I played on the Pepsi Tour for 1 year, but unfortunately there was never any girls in my age group. Which meant that a lot of the time I played with older guys, but I would have to say it taught me about competing at a higher level. Then I joined the NJGA (Nebraska Junior Golf Association), the summer before my freshman year in high school. I have joined every year since then, because I get to play against people with similar talent levels as me. Not to mention all the beautiful courses I get to play along the way. I am also a part of our high school team. The sad part is that my junior year we didn't even have a full team, just Jessa and I. It is sometimes hard to go from summer golf competitions to high school invites, I feel as if some of the high school girls I play with don't take the game with the respect it deserves. It makes me realize how good the NJGA is. I look at myself as a team leader, and I think my teammates over the years have too. I have worked on my game quite a bit and I have taken lessons to improve my game. Going out and hitting drivers, irons, putting, chipping, whatever it is, it helps to do something everyday. Someone one once told me when you practice you either choose to get better or get worse, and it really made me think. I will continue to work on my game, and choose to improve my game not get worse. It helps that on my families acreage we have our own "golf course" we have buffalo grass fairways and greens, and we have 2 50 gallon trash bins full of used golf balls. So I can just go out and hit as many balls as I feel like, and not have to worry about anything else. It has been a great adventure every step of the way! This game can be such a challenge, but also such a rush. I think that is why it appeals to me so much. Everyday can be different and usually is, but you never know. It makes you think, use strageties, use golf course management, and it can mentally challenge you as well. I've had my off days, but I remember my good days more than anything. Quick story; It was my freshman year at districts and I found out I was going to be in a 3 way play-off for the title. Of course I was nervous, I had never been in a play-off before. My hands started to shake as I was on the tee so I stepped back and told myself that I could do this! I made it through the first hole and then birdied then second play-off hole to become the champion. I had such an adrenaline rush through out that whole play-off, and in a sense I still get one today just thinking about it. It was one of the most fun experiences I have been apart of. I don't really know what I want to do as a career or what I want to go to college for, I would have to choose undecided if I was asked that question. All I know is that I want to play golf at the college level. I don't really know a specific region, location, or size. I am just open to whatever possibilities come my way. I have mostly been talking about golf, but I want you to know I take my school work very seriously also. I have been apart of either High Honor Roll, or Honor Roll every single quarter. It is always a personal goal to get a A in every class I am taking. It is difficult sometimes, but I always give it my all. I took 2 college credit classes my junior year(Human Anatomy, and College Algebra), and I'm taking Calculus, Psychology, English Literature, and English Composition as college credit classes this year. I like to challenge myself in both my school accomplishments and my golfing accomplishments. That is just a little insight on me!