Established by Abby Yoo, Club Golf is a Hopkins club sports team founded to provide a space for golf-lovers to practice. Although golf is a sport with a strong following nationwide, Hopkins students have historically lacked an organized outlet for playing it on campus. Yoo created the club to fill that gap. For many members, the club has become a chance to improve their athletic skills and to blend competition with camaraderie.
Disappointed by the lack of a golf team at Hopkins, freshman Owen Cheung expressed his opinion of the impact of the club on the Hopkins golfing community.
“Well, when I applied to Hopkins, I knew there wasn’t a golf team here – which sucks,” he said. “Club Golf is definitely a good outlet […]. I’m glad that [Abby] started it. I think there’s a big community of golfers at Hopkins, and I think it’s pretty imperative.”
To kick off the new year, Club Golf hosted a TopGolf social event with around 15 members in attendance. The event served as a casual introduction for new players, as well as a way for returning members to reconnect, setting the tone for a semester of community and competition. Beyond just practice, the club uses these gatherings to emphasize that golf can be both fun and social.
In an interview with The News-Letter, President Abby Yoo expressed her enthusiasm for the new year and her hopes for the club.
“When I started [Club Golf], I was still very novice. I’ve only been golfing for two to three years, and that’s typically summers. I just wanted it to be something that existed on campus for everyone who wanted to learn or compete,” she explained. “My favorite part is just seeing returning members, and also people who bring their friends. […] It’s just fun to play, and also just being outside. I think Hopkins kids enjoy being outside and talking to each other.”
The team is open to all, from undergraduate students to students completing their Master’s degree. Club Golf is designed to accommodate a wide range of experiences and students. Both players who have never touched a club and players who have years of experience are encouraged to join and find community with each other.
Master’s student Wilson Martinez described his decision to join Club Golf and shared his goal for athletic improvement as a returning member of the club in an interview with The News-Letter. Martinez explained that while he initially found the sport boring, he now appreciates the connections found in the game.
“Personally, I never thought that I was going to play golf ever. I thought it looked like a boring sport — and then my friends forced me out on a golf course in Florida and the rest is history,” he said. “Just join Club Golf — even if you’ve never swung a club before! I think you’re going to fall in love with the game.”
Similarly, in an interview with The News-Letter, senior Stone Meng expressed his enthusiasm for learning the sport for the first time as a new member. For Meng, joining Club Golf represents more than just picking up a hobby, but also embracing opportunities outside of his comfort zone.
“I think it’s all about trying new experiences,” he said. “I really enjoyed this TopGolf event that [the club] hosted but, as a beginner, I’m hoping to learn some new techniques in golf and meet the new people here. I care more about people than the actual clubs themselves.”
In an interview with The News-Letter, treasurer of the club, Gavin Brooke, elaborated further on the role of Club Golf in the Hopkins community. With limited access to golf courses in Baltimore, the club makes a conscious effort to carve out opportunities for play. From booking weekly tee times at local courses to planning social events, Brooke explains that these events are meant to offer members an outlet for regular practice and casual connection with one another.
“It’s really just a chance for guys and girls to get out and play some golf when they don’t really have the opportunity here in Baltimore,” he said. “Generally, we book tee times on Sundays and go play at some of the public courses around here, just for fun. […] In terms of upcoming events, we’re definitely going to be doing a lot more Sunday outings, so just keep those on your radar.”
Yoo also commented on this point, highlighting her own vision for expanding the range of experiences that Club Golf offers. She noted the importance of introducing more accessible options, such as TopGolf. By securing opportunities for members to try these outings for free, Yoo hopes to lower barriers that prevent students from joining and make the sport feel more approachable.
“Right now, we’re looking into this place called Pine Ridge, which is about 40 minutes away. […] This year, one of the initiatives that I had was to do TopGolf once a month and have it be free for the first 20–30 members, so that everyone could try it at least once — or just bring their friends and have a free time!”
For those who would like to be a part of Club Golf, the team suggests connecting with their GroupMe, following the club’s Instagram page (@jhugolf) and joining the Hopkins Groups emailing list.
