Sophomore public relations major Megan Yoder is one of two women on the golf team here at Elizabethtown College. Yoder attended Pequea Valley High School where she was a member of the golf team. She has been playing golf for most of her life, 13 years to be exact. Her grandparents started her and her sister in a junior golf program at the young age of six. They wanted to start her in golf as fast as they were able to. She’s grateful that they did this since she is now able to play in college and has made lifelong memories from the opportunity.
This past season, Yoder shot her career-low at the Lebanon Valley Invitational. There she placed 24th with a score of +28, 100. Last year her career low was +32, 102 at the Eastern Invitational, finishing the year with a 104.75 stroke average. This season, at home, Yoder placed 20th with a +33, 104 score.
“My teammate Gracie Flocco and I get along so well,” Megan said when talking about one of her memories. “We always have a great time.” One of her favorite moments of college golf so far was at the Landmark Championships last spring. It was a lot of playing, but being with her teammate Flocco made it even more enjoyable since they both get along so well and enjoy playing together.
“Balancing school and golf is very achievable,” Yoder said. Since they only have practice three times a week, she is able to complete work as well as go to practice. She also mentioned that her coaches are very understanding that being a student athlete isn’t easy; if they are overwhelmed, they are encouraged to prioritize school. She appreciates that her coaches do that because it is less stress on her knowing that they are very understanding and will help when they can.
“My goal for the upcoming spring season is to break 100 in tournaments. Doing it in practice is one thing, but I’d love to be able to do it in competition,” Yoder said. Yoder sets many goals for herself throughout the season, but this is her main one.
“Playing golf at Etown is so much fun! Playing at Hershey Country Club is an amazing perk and the team dynamic is great. It’s competitive but it’s also a great opportunity to just practice and improve, and we need girls,” Yoder mentioned. “Right now there are only two of us on the team, and it’d be great to have more!” If you are interested in playing golf, Yoder encourages you to since it is a great way to make new friends in a competitive environment.
