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CEDARVILLE, Ohio – Liz Miller longed to play collegiate golf and her dream was to play close to home at Cedarville University.
One big problem – the Lady Jackets didn’t have a golf program … until this academic year.
With one year of eligibility remaining and a master’s degree to pursue, the Lord blessed her with the opportunity to play her final season at Cedarville.
Miller, who is from nearby Jamestown and a graduate of Legacy Christian Academy in Xenia, is representing the Lady Jackets this week at the NCCAA Women’s Golf Championship in Florida.
She transparently talks about how she got her start in the sport, what it means to play at Cedarville, and how she plans to use golf as a career.
Why golf?
I was going into sixth grade and my Mom signed me up for a clinic, and she informed me of her decision. She didn’t want me sitting on the couch and wanted me out doing something. My options were cross country, soccer, and golf. She told me I had practice the next morning at 8:00.
I didn’t have clubs. The only thing I had ever done was Udders and Putters (miniature golf) at Young’s Jersey Dairy.
What was your first impression of the game?
It was a four-hour practice at Sebastian Hills Golf Club (now Jasper Hills Golf Club in Jamestown, Ohio). The session went until noon. I ran out of water and I used a men’s full set of clubs which was really heavy.
I didn’t have a glove, I wore basketball shorts, and I didn’t have a hat so I got sunburned. I got in the car afterwards and I was thirsty, sweaty, and hot. I looked at my Dad and asked, ‘Can I come back tomorrow?’
Something about it attracted me. Every shot was different. You could set up the same way and hit the ball a million different ways. It was a puzzle and I liked it.
What was your first experience at competitive golf?
I played in a couple junior matches that fall. Between my seventh and eighth grade years, I began competing on the Southern Ohio Junior Tour. At that point it was called the Futures Tour and they were nine-hole events. It was the next step for me and I played on the tour multiple summers.
How old were you when you decided that you really liked golf and wanted to keep playing it?
By the time I was in the eighth grade I knew that I wanted to play collegiately. There was something about it that clicked and the bug bit me.
Since Legacy Christian did not have a girls golf team, what did you do for competition in high school?
There were three other girls my freshman year who were interested in golf so we had a team even though we didn’t score that well. They were seniors so the rest of my high school career it was just me.
Our athletic director put a schedule together for me where I could play in invitationals as an individual. Most of these tournaments consisted of schools from all divisions. I also played on the boys’ team my senior year, but only in conference matches.
Did you play in the Ohio girls state tournament?
Yes! I always got through the sectional all four years and advanced to the district. My senior year I was tied with two other girls to go to the state tournament. I birdied the first hole of the playoff and got to play in the state tournament.
Since Cedarville University did not have a women’s golf team, where did you decide to attend college?
I initially went to Olivet Nazarene because my older sister attended there. The coach had recruited me when I was in high school. We would visit as a family and watch the golf team during a tournament weekend and talk with the coach. A lot of the push to play collegiately came from him. It was a solid fit for what I was looking for.
What’s the biggest difference between high school golf and college golf?
The courses you play are a lot nicer and a lot longer. In high school, you’ve got your parents, your family, your teammates, and everything you’re used to close by. In college, it’s big shift just moving to college. I was responsible for myself, getting my homework done, doing laundry, and I didn’t have my parents checking in on me every day. Being a student-athlete is a beast of its own.
Why did you transfer from Olivet Nazarene to Milligan University in Tennessee?
Two weeks before moving into Olivet Nazarene, I was informed that the golf coach passed away. They filled the position with an interim coach and we had five seniors. It was a crazy year and everyone attempted to regroup.
The coach was a big factor that I chose Olivet. With golf being an individual sport, a player really relies on the coach. I knew I probably wasn’t going to stay and golf wasn’t clicking the way I wanted it to. I contacted a number of schools during the winter and ultimately chose to transfer to Milligan following my freshman year.
What was it like playing at Milligan?
Tennessee golf is much different than snowy Chicago. I loved my team at Milligan, but moving to the South was out of my comfort zone. It was six hours away and I love being with my people. In the end, it was a good three years for me and allowed me to grow.
How did four years of college golf contribute to your maturity?
I enjoyed being part of a team and having a coaching staff because I did not get that in high school. It was very encouraging! It was like a family so now I had them along with my parents in my corner. Golf teaches you to be strong mentally and physically. It’s more rigorous than you think and you have to have a steady head on your shoulders to be successful. Keep your tempo, stay patient, and be calm. It’s very counterintuitive compared to other sports.
“Everything else is second to Christ. To have that as the focal point and build everything else
around it is awesome and refreshing.” – Liz Miller
Can you believe you get to play women’s golf at Cedarville University?
It’s all God! He drew all of the dots and put it together into a pretty picture.
My Mom attended Cedarville and was always rooting for me to attend here. But, since there wasn’t a women’s golf team at the time it just wasn’t going to happen. Golf was a priority for me. My coach at Milligan informed me that I had a year of eligibility left because I didn’t play the year after I transferred. I knew Cedarville was starting a team and I wanted to return home. I took advantage of that opportunity and I’m able to pursue a master’s degree at the same time. So, I’m all in.
You’re on a team of six players and the other five are all freshmen. How do you see your role?
They call me the ‘Team Mom.’ Being local is nice because I know where everything is. I am glad to have a team of girls that aren’t afraid to ask questions. I remember my freshman year at Olivet that I relied and leaned on the upperclassmen. I’ve tried to embody that and be that for my freshmen.
What’s the spiritual aspect of playing golf as a believer?
Cedarville is very unique in that our identity is in Christ first and foremost. There’s no question about it! Everything else is second to Christ. To have that as the focal point and build everything else around it is awesome and refreshing.
Coming on campus knowing that I’m going to be fed spiritually and we’re going to be pouring into each other is exciting. Plus, through our sport we can pour into other people. We are with our opponents for multiple hours on the course and we can shine the light of Christ on them and encourage them. We don’t really see that from competitors in golf so to be able to reflect the Lord on others is so fulfilling.
How has your family been a positive support for you?
My parents have always had my back and I’m blessed. They are a unit and they are so encouraging and honest with me. No one knows me better and they push me to be better. They welcomed me back into the home at this stage in my life while at the same time allowing me to stand on my own two feet.
How has Cedarville University been transformative in your life?
I walk into church and I’m excited to be there. I walk into chapel and I’m excited to be there. I’m excited to listen to Christian music. I haven’t always been the greatest model of what the Christian life should look like. My Bible reading and prayer life has changed. It’s been a complete reframe of how I view things spiritually. I’ve only been here for a few months, but it has been a complete renewal.
How would you like to use your degree and use golf?
I’m really looking toward a playing career. There are feeder tours for golf. I’m not finished playing competitively yet and I want to take a stab at it. Beyond that, caddying is on the horizon. There is a lack of female caddies on tour. Tournament operations would be an option, too. Golf is a very big industry so there are opportunities out there.
What do you say to young girls and parents who are looking to get involved in a sport?
Give golf a try! The first set of clubs I had were ones my Dad purchased with air flyer miles. If there’s a will there’s a way. Don’t be afraid.
What do think about playing in the NCCAA as Cedarville’s first women’s representative?
I’m excited! I love Florida courses. I know a couple of the teams that are going and I enjoy playing with them. I’ll be by myself without my team, but I’ll do my best!
