Fish Out of Water

I’m definitely out of my comfort zone, but know that I belong here. Sitting in the media center at the U.S. Women’s Open at Pebble Beach, among all the other journalists, making content. It’s crazy to me. I’m literally still in a state of shock. Like this is a dream that I’m going to wake up from, yet it’s not and I have to keep pinching myself to remember it’s reality.

I’ve come to realize something this year. Being in the media center at professional golf tournaments is most definitely where I want to be. The energy surrounding the room, the buzz of people typing away on their computers to get a story out, and the television screens that keep you updated on all the action. And of course, the free (and bomb) food doesn’t hurt either.

I almost feel like I’m getting too comfortable. Like I shouldn’t be calling this open desk my spot or continuing to grab food from the buffet and watching golf on these giant television screens. Somehow, in some odd way, God worked it all out for me to be in this exact spot.

The drive had no issues. I was able to stay with people and not pay for a hotel. My professor will allow me to make up the absences (although I think this should count as excused because to be fair, I’m making lots of content).

One thing I will say after coming to this tournament is that it has hands down been one of the best tournaments I have ever attended. Not just because I have a media pass or because it’s at Pebble Beach. Because the women who are golfing here are amazing athletes and it’s incredible to watch them do their thing while being able to actually watch them!

The course is easy to walk and there are so many different spots to see the golfers. It’s actually crazy the difference it is from LACC and the Men’s U.S. Open. I walked the entire course with no problems or getting lost. And if I did get lost, that was my sense of direction that doesn’t exist.

But just the fact I’m here I can’t get over. This is what I want to do in my life. This past week has given me a taste of what the future could look like for me and I’ve never wanted it more. I’ve never wanted to create so much content so that maybe one day people can start to notice and I can do this on a weekly basis.

I want to travel and be where the top golfers are in the world. To see new courses and cities every week all while interacting with people within the community. To make memories that will last a lifetime and I can tell my grandkids about. That’s what I want.

Slowly but surely, I’m starting to really feel like I belong here in this space and community. I’m beginning to believe that I can do this too.

I love people's reactions when Rose Zhang chips on the green and almost holes the shot to say “My ball would be way in the ocean.” When someone leans over and makes a joke at another trying to use the coffee machine in desperation because it’s been such a long day. This is a space where we can be ourselves and create content for people to read all over the world. The thing is too, they’re all reading the same topic, but from different perspectives and points of view. It just depends on the writer.

I’ve seen people's need for women to come into this sport and promote women. It’s been incredible to see my audience grow because of that need. I can only hope the audience keeps growing and together we can make an impact in this sport. It’s been male-dominated for way too long now and it’s time to break those boundaries.

In all honesty that’s why I’m here this week at the U.S. Women’s Open. Yes, it’s awesome to come here on a media pass to make TikToks, but what are those TikToks saying? They’re showing women’s golf from a woman’s perspective, which is the entire goal of my content. Also spreading beyond the golf world and into other sports to really give people a good look at how I see them.

I’m so excited to see where this content is going to take me and the light it will bring to my audience. I want to make the impact I’ve always dreamed of and each day, I start to believe I can do it a little more.