Another new group on campus gaining momentum is the Golf Club, which began in fall 2022 and now counts its membership at around 30 golfers, some of whom are almost entirely new to the game, like Evan Owens (B.A. ’14).
After receiving a set of clubs from his step-father as a graduation gift when he earned his public relations degree, Owens says he was able to put them to use less than 10 times.
That is, until last fall.
These days, Owens finds himself and his clubs on the course just about every Sunday afternoon for a nine-hole round — sometimes a full 18 holes.
“I’m still a beginner,” says Owens, a master’s student studying communication who is also the club’s co-founder and vice president. “I’ve still got a lot of work to do on my game, like a lot of other people.”
Members of the club hope to break down the barriers to entry often associated with the game, from the pricey equipment to the fees needed to access driving ranges and courses. Owens even got permitted to drive a Recreational Services van so he could shuttle club members to and from Atlanta’s Candler Park, where they have a standing tee time.
Though the club does not yet have any official coaches, more experienced players do step in to offer tips and pointers to those with less advanced swings. Club members say it’s all part of opening the sport to everyone and anyone interested in taking part and building a community of golfers at Georgia State.
“Not only is the sport expensive, you just don’t come into it knowing how to play,” Owens says.
Sonny Patel, the club’s president and a Ph.D. student in the Department of Communication, says the group even has clubs available for those who don’t have their own set, with efforts underway to raise money to buy more.
“We’re able to make it affordable — or no cost in some cases — for people to come and play,” Patel says. “Golf is a hard sport. But we have a good time and cheer each other on. Even though you might have a bad day on the course, you’re not going to leave without a smile on your face.”
For more information about Georgia State Sport Clubs, visit Recreational Services.
