Some victories transcend the scorecard.
This week, we’re honored to spotlight Zoe, a remarkable junior golfer whose courage and resilience left a deep impression on all of us at the Hurricane Junior Golf Tour. Zoe’s story isn’t just about winning a tournament. It’s about playing through losing a loved one, leaning on faith and family, and honoring the memory of someone who meant the world to her.
Just days before competing at the HJGT Major Championship at Bunker Hill, Zoe lost her grandfather, Brian.
Despite the immense emotional weight, Zoe chose to tee it up, surrounded by her family who traveled to be by her side. Their presence, along with her grandfather’s enduring love, helped carry her through one of the most challenging weeks of her life.
In the interview below, Zoe shares what her grandfather meant to her, how she found strength to compete through grief, and the advice she has for others facing personal struggles. It’s a beautiful reflection of love, resilience, and the power of support—on and off the course.
We would love to know more about the role your grandpa played in your life.
Despite my grandpa living 8 hours away from me, he was a large part of my life. He was my biggest supporter in everything I did and even when he was suffering, he would always text me asking how I was doing or just saying how much he loved me. He inspired me to keep going no matter what was happening since he had done that throughout his life. He was so special to me because he was proud of me no matter what I was doing or how well I played.
How were you able to stay strong and focused despite his loss?
I learned that he had passed on the Monday before the tournament. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to go to Cleveland early to be there with him, but my mom was. That whole week was extremely difficult for me, but I was surrounded by a lot of support. My other grandpa (my mom’s step dad) had texted me right before I left for Cleveland, on Friday, saying “Play for [grandpa] Brian and there will be ZERO pressure… because he’ll be so proud of you, even if you shoot 100!” That made me feel a lot better because I knew my grandpa would still be with me, even if I couldn’t see him. My other support came from my faith. Every day I prayed to God to give me the strength to keep going and make my grandpa proud. I’m not saying any of that made it easy for me (it didn’t), but it did provide me with some comfort going into the tournament.
Can you share with us what it was like to have your family support you during this difficult time?
It meant the world to me for my family to be there. I know it wasn’t easy for them because they were also dealing with the loss of my grandpa, but I am so grateful for them coming to support me. Just seeing them there, especially my grandma Kathy (grandpa Brian’s wife), somehow gave me so much comfort that my grandpa was with me and I was not alone in this grief.
What does this win mean for you moving forward?
This win was huge for me going forward. It provided me with confidence in my physical and mental game and having my family share this win with me was a perfect reminder of how much support I have and the blessing their love is.
Do you have any advice for kids on managing personal struggles and trying to compete simultaneously?
My advice for those trying to compete while struggling personally is to not try to hide or suppress your struggles. When I had just learned of his death, I went to school and acted like nothing had happened. It was so hard for me to do and, looking back now, it just made the loss more prominent in my life. No matter what you’re struggling with, I guarantee there is someone out there to talk to. Try to use your struggles to motivate you rather than weigh you down and the sky’s the limit.
