Hello Illini Nation!

It's hard to believe we have almost completed our last "in-season" week… this semester feels like it has flown by! It has been a different experience for all of us on the team this year with new class and schedule obligations and no true team competitions/travel. Our coaches have done a wonderful job emulating the competitive environment in practices and qualifying rounds, however. We've been able to implement match play, scrambles, best balls, etc. to switch things up and prepare our mentality for the spring season.

While we haven't had the chance to compete as a team yet, we have had individual opportunities to travel and compete in tournaments hosted by Golfweek and the GCAA.

These past two weeks have been pretty packed as I traveled to Indianapolis and back home to Kentucky to compete in two events hosted by the GCAA. I was able to learn and take away plenty of information from both events. I'm grateful I was essentially able to experience all four seasons throughout the two tournaments with weather ranging from 80º and sunny to 35º and raining! It was a great mental and physical test that has strengthened my resilience, and I can take this with full force into the spring season.

Graduate school has been a big transition for me, as it wasn't something that I initially had in my career plan. However, I am extremely appreciative for the new information, people, resources, and connections that have come into my life since beginning a master's degree.

This year has been full of transitions and challenges, but it has also been filled with opportunities to learn, reflect, and become stronger as a result.

I say this often, yet it can't be said enough. Having one more year here on campus has only added fuel to my passion, love, and ambition behind this wonderful university and its athletic program. I consider this place my home, and my teammates, coaches, friends, resources, and this community are all part of my family.

Let's end this year strong and be ready to continue the fight as a team into spring season!

Stay safe out there!

Tristyn Nowlin