Finding the right college can be a challenging process, but for some athletes it can be even more challenging because of the added stress of finding a team that best suits them. So many athletes who are passionate about their sport will work countless hours and put in that extra effort for one goal, and that is to play at the next level.
Junior Maddie Smith is one of the few that will have the opportunity to pursue her first choice both academically and athletically at the University of Memphis where she will be playing Division 1 golf starting her freshman year.
“I am really excited about committing to Memphis,” Smith said. “It was a goal of mine for a long time to be a college golfer. I didn’t really have a plan of when I wanted to commit; I just wanted to be happy and confident in my decision and for me that just happened to be on the earlier side.”
Smith has grown up playing golf with her two older sisters, Morgan and Molly, who now play at the D1 level at the University of Georgia and the University of Central Florida, respectively.
“I’ve been playing golf for as long as I can remember, right around the time I started walking. At that time, it was a fun thing my family did,” Smith said. “I really started to play in tournaments and competitively around 9-10 years old [and] at that time I just loved the game but when my sister went to college and [went through] the recruiting process, I just knew that I would hope to be in that position one day too.”
In order to play golf competitively in college, Smith had to not only put in the work during the regular season, but also during the off season.
“I play in a lot of junior events with some amateur events on circuits like Mass Golf, US Challenge Cup, AJGA, and USGA but I love to play in tournaments to keep my game as sharp as it can be,” Smith said.
Smith has already had a major impact on the WA golf team, and according to head coach Patrick Claycomb, she will be missed after she graduates in 2026, but he knows Memphis is getting an excellent player.
“Maddie is […] a very competitive golfer. She loves to go head to head in our match play events,” Claycomb said. “This is what really separates her from most of the players she competes against. The talent with the drive is what makes her special.”
Being in Memphis will give Smith the ability to play year round, which will have a major impact on her skill level as a golfer.
“I […] love that she is going south. Being able to play all year round with the resources of a Division 1 school will help Maddie take her game to the next level. I know she is a hard worker and the resources will be very beneficial,” Claycomb said.
When an athlete picks a school, they tend to gear more towards a school that wants them on their team and offers them the best deal, but it is just as important to enjoy the school itself as they will be spending their next four years there.
Memphis’s golf program was not the only thing that made accepting the offer easy for Smith, but also their ability to make her feel as comfortable as possible when she arrives there in the fall of 2026.
“My coach always says ‘Memphis loves Memphis’ and it couldn’t be more true. Everyone on the Memphis campus is helping and wanting you to succeed and reach your goals whatever they might be. They will help you or set you up for success in your future,” Smith said.
Smith’s favorite sport may be golf, but her love for all sports is a significant aspect of Smith’s identity. Memphis offers so many amazing sports programs which excites her not only as an athlete, but also as a spectator.
“I’m looking forward to meeting new people, building a great relationship with my teammates, getting a good education, and being able to watch other sporting events on campus to cheer on fellow student athletes,” Smith said.
Having such big goals would not be possible without a support system and Smith could not be more grateful for the people she has behind her. She is immensely grateful for her parents as they were right by her side throughout the recruiting process. She also feels very lucky to have her sisters by her side to be able to share the love for the sport together.
“My older sisters, Morgan and Molly have influenced me so much. They push me everyday to get better. I also know that they will be completely honest with me even if it is something I don’t want to hear, they know it will help me reach my goals,” Smith said. “It has been so cool to see them excel at their college golf careers thus far. I just wanted to follow in their footsteps.”
There are so many pieces that go into the college application process and looking to commit somewhere to pursue a sport can add many new challenges. However, Smith feels confident in her decision and knows that Memphis will be the right fit for her not only with her golf career, but also her education.
“I think Memphis got a great player and person [and] I love the fact that Memphis made a decision early about wanting her on the team. They didn’t wait around or play any games,” Claycomb said. “I’m happy she is going to a place that wants her there. To me, that makes it a great fit. She wasn’t an after thought for Memphis. She was the target.”
