Youth on Course invited member Elina K. to share her experience of the annual St Andrews trip. From her heart and in her words, enjoy the adventure through her eyes.
When I first heard that I was going to St Andrews, I was over the moon with excitement. It was Scotland. The land of highland cows, kilt-bearing bagpipe players, and most importantly, the Home of Golf. But then, a sense of uncertainty set in. I’ve never traveled alone before, much less across the Atlantic with four virtual strangers. But little did I know, the experiences and bonds shared between our small group, would change my life forever.
Receiving the opportunity to freely explore what being ‘myself’ actually meant was owed purely to all the meaningful connections I made along the way, none of which would’ve been possible without Michael Lowe, VP of Programs at Youth on Course, Julia from Golf England, and John and Kenny from New Links, our gracious hosts from St Andrews.
They didn’t just organize a life-changing week of unforgettable memories, but became the blueprint for becoming the person I've always dreamed of being—someone I could truly be proud of, someone I would be happy to be.
Michael, with his Hello Kitty footwear and unfaltering toothy grin, exemplifies true advocacy. A calm man of few words, he let his actions speak volumes. Though when he did speak, he made sure it counted. His work as an educator with numerous youth groups and Youth on Course have amplified the voices of the unheard, making sure their needs are met and their wants fulfilled. Michael exudes a comforting presence that makes you feel supported, regardless of any obstacles that may come in the way. He has a gift for making people feel safe, like they truly belonged. When you spoke, he listened, and when you couldn’t, he became your voice.
Julia was the role model of passion and perseverance. She was fiercely inspiring. She commanded every conversation—not in the brusque, overbearing way, but leading instead with a genuine passion that shone through her words. "I was constantly aware of being the only woman who looked like me," she shared, highlighting the frustrations women of color frequently face in golf. So Julia took action. She joined the England Golf Board of Directors, launched Inspiring Golf Inclusion (IGI), and hosted a wildly successful event at the Belfry with Dr. Renee Powell and Henni Koyack. It was powerful. She was powerful.
Kenny and John were never ones to hide from spontaneity. After all, the idea of New Links was born from a coincidental seat swap on a plane. Like Julia, they never let the chains of hesitation shackle them to the shadows of uncertainty. On our final night in St Andrews, John shared that for much of his life, his view of golf was negative. However, as he put simply, “If you don’t like a part of your life, you can go through the effort to change it”. And change it they did. Through New Links, more than 100 children from around the world have been given the opportunity to experience St Andrews, opening their eyes to the wonders of golf, and ultimately the culture of the game as a whole.
My initial fear in meeting my fellow Youth on Course travelers dissipated quickly. I realized soon enough that spending a week eating, golfing, and living with strangers… was strangely freeing. We all knew nothing of each other, apart from hesitant small talk in long TSA wait lines, there were no expectations of who we were meant to be, or how we were meant to act. I could truly be myself, but even then, I wasn't entirely sure who that person was. But in that brief, yet seemingly endless week, Salma, Jonah, and Mia helped me redefine what it meant to be 'myself'.
Salma embodied confidence. Her words were always laced with an unwavering certainty that brooked no argument. After the first leg of our flight, I remember gorging on classic Chicagoan cheesecake, standing before Gate C19 when she boldly declared, “I’m going to be president one day.” And in that moment, not a single doubt entered my mind as my thoughts echoed hers, “She’s going to be president one day.”
Jonah shone with the purest form of human goodness. It was as if malice, anger, or discontent was foreign to his mind (except for that ill-fated fly on his ball, may it rest in peace). His constant, infectious smile and generosity were second to none. I remember watching his relentless pursuit to purchase a laundry list of souvenirs for his family and friends with amusement. But as I watched him carefully scour every gift shop in St Andrews twice until every request was fulfilled, I realized that to him, their happiness was his happiness.
Mia held herself with a degree of humble grace equal to none. She spoke with intelligence, passion, and confidence, yet never boasted about her successes. It wasn’t until weeks after our trip, during a conversation with Michael that I discovered the full extent of her achievements. Unbeknownst to us, Mia is the founder of LingoX, a nonprofit organization that transforms lives in over 130 countries through accessible language education. Mia not only dared to dream, but she also succeeded in ways that truly changed the world, yet Mia never once mentioned it once. She carries her dreams and successes with a quiet humility, focusing more on the difference she could make rather than the accolades she could receive.
At times, I questioned how the bonds forged between us four could be formed so easily? Bonds so tightly knit, where words seemed unnecessary in the face of trust and understanding. It felt absurd. But, there was nothing absurd about the genuine moments we shared. When we weren’t busy chasing sunrises or belting classic Queen songs, or between performing scarily accurate animal imitations and cooking up the best Scottish-Chinese-Japanese-Somali-Mexican fusion dinners, we found moments of calm within the chaos. And in those precious moments, admittedly in wee hours past midnight, we held each other's presence with a steady, calm familiarity.
Accompanying Julia, from England, were three young girls who seemed to burst into my life at just the right time. Mykah, Nevaeh, and Danielle, each unique in their own way, helped me rediscover parts of myself that I had thought were long forgotten.
Nevaeh reminded me of the unapologetic bravery that only children seem to possess. Fearless in her pursuits and unafraid to speak her mind, she acted with courage and confidence that most adults can only dream of.
Danielle reminded me why golf can be such an intoxicating drug. Witnessing her confidence slowly grow throughout the week, mindset going from “I don’t know..” to “Watch me.” was a sight to behold. It’s hard to describe the moment one has after hitting the perfect shot. The rush of euphoria that keeps every golfer hooked, reveling in the brief moment of invincibility.
But watching her transformation forced me to swallow the bitter pill of truth. I realized that there were times when playing golf was difficult for me, times when I felt so distant from that initial joy. Between the relentless demands of practice and non-stop tournaments, it felt like I had forgotten to find joy in the journey, not the destination.
Mykah felt like peering into a mirror of my past. I couldn’t help but see my younger self in her shoes. Everything in her game, from her quiet confidence to her surefire swing was a sight to behold. But there was something else as well. Her shoulders seemed burdened by an all too familiar weight, a burden born from years of competitive junior golf. It broke my heart. I realized then, looking back across that bridge, standing in the greener field, I could offer her the guidance and support that I wish I’d had at her age. To remind her that in the end, there was more to life than just golf. Golf was simply a game, after all. An incredibly fun, fulfilling, and thrilling sport, yes, but a game nonetheless.
Watching these three girls fall in love with golf, whether for the first time, deeper, or all over again, filled me with an inexplicable sense of excitement. Despite meeting them mere days ago, their paths had become intertwined with mine, and I felt deeply invested in seeing what their futures held. Now, I am filled with anticipatory glee, eagerly awaiting to see where they’ll go, what they’ll achieve, and who they’ll grow to become.
Everyone involved in this trip, in their own way, helped the notions I once held with an iron grip disintegrate, slipping through my fingers like fine sand. As I watch the sandcastle I’ve carefully built over the years topple from the crashing waves of this new perspective, I am at peace. I am happy. But most importantly, I’m inspired.
This trip, these people, and the memories we’ve shared have ignited an inextinguishable flame within me. A flame that sparks action. And it doesn't matter whether the action is minuscule or tremendous, whether I touch one life or many, I want to truly make a difference. I want to embody confidence like Danielle, Salma, and Nevaeh. I want to radiate joy like Kenny, Jonah, and Mykah. I want to advocate for change I truly believe in like Michael, Julia, John, and Mia. I want to turn the opportunities that have been so graciously provided, into actions that leave a lasting, positive mark on the world.
As cliche as it sounds, all those inspirational speakers were right. You must embody the change you wish to see in the world. My time in Scotland was living proof of what happens when ideas are set into motion.
So thank you. Thank you Youth on Course and New Links for making this life-changing trip possible, thank you Scotland for introducing me to haggis and beans on toast, and thank you golf, for everything.