Completed Event: Women's Golf versus NCAA Championship on May 22, 2026 , , 7th in Stroke Play; Quarterfinals of Match Play
/
Final
Women's Golf
vs NCAA Championship
Photo by: Duke Athletics
Andie Smith: The Little White Ball Took Me Here
6/13/2026 9:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
Thank you, Duke women's golf, for these past four years that I will cherish for the rest of my life. Representing Duke women's golf has been one of my highest honors thus far. There's no way I would have been able to tell all those years ago, when I received that verbal offer from Coach Brooks and Coach Whithaus, how much of an impact Duke would have on me.
It was my late dad's dream, and mine, to play collegiate golf while getting a world class education. The combination of being a high-level female golfer and highly educated would prove successful in the financial world, where my dad's work resided. He would say to me and my brother, "that little white ball can take you places you can't go without it." He was so right.
I can't say thank you enough to Coach Brooks and Coach Whithaus for taking a chance on me and giving me the opportunity all those years ago to play for such a competitive and historic program. I hoped I had made my dad and the rest of my family proud by achieving such an opportunity so early on, but my journey had just begun.
Being at a place like Duke, I was pushed to put my best self forward athletically and academically. "So much opportunity, not enough time to do it all," is how I typically felt. I wanted to take full advantage of the opportunity to learn, taking as many classes as possible with professors and subjects that intrigued me the most, while saving plenty of time to improve my golf game with team practice and additional practice on my own time. I embodied the Duke student-athlete experience, from going to Training Table with my teammates, attending many Duke Basketball games as a Cameron Crazie, studying late at night in Perkins and K Center, taking spare time to walk through the Duke Gardens, and attending DWG's infamous Saturday lift with our honorary member, Britton.
Early on, I figured out how to effectively manage my mind to handle such a high demanding schedule, and so I pushed myself further. Every semester, I was excited to take new classes and eager to continue to improve my golf game physically and mentally. I wanted to show up my best for my team on the course and best for myself in the classroom. I won the 2024 Tar Heel Invitational and contributed to multiple team wins and top finishes. My game felt good, but I still felt that I can continue to get better. Academically, I decided to complete my undergraduate degree and certificate in three years and enroll in a one year Masters program at the Fuqua School of Business for my fourth year of eligibility. I felt the two degrees would serve me well long term when I chose to enter the financial world.
There's a quote I read that resonated with me, and I think it's a quote most student-athletes would resonate with too: "remember that once, you dreamed of being where you are now." We spend so much of our days rushing through life, through our to-do list, through the homework, the meals, the sleep, stressing ourselves out so much that we often forget to cherish the present moment and what it took to get there. The opportunity to be at a place like Duke, playing the sport I love, surrounded by the most tremendous people is so special and something I couldn't be more grateful for. It is a blessing to be tired doing what I love and used to dream of doing. I couldn't have imagined a better four years surrounded by the most encouraging coaches and amazing support staff that were there for me and for my teammates at every step of the way. There aren't enough ways to say thank you.
To me, my job for my four years at Duke was to excel at an equally high-level in school and golf. Over my later years at Duke, the question of whether I would continue to play golf at the professional level would come up. The chance to turn pro was never a part of the job I laid out for myself, but was a pleasant side effect of the work I was putting in. Early on in my college career, I didn't have the understanding of what it takes to be a great professional and I didn't recognize the importance of what I already had. I finally understood that I do have what it takes, with Coach Brooks and Coach Whithaus always there to confirm that I had what it took. It was exciting to know that those around me saw me capable of success professionally. I just didn't know what a life with just golf would look like, or make me feel like.
The past year I was faced with a decision that, at the time, felt like it would determine my whole world. What I finally came to realize is that there could be no bad outcome. My choices, determination, and persistence had created multiple opportunities for the next chapter of my life that younger Andie could have only dreamed of. Do I choose to play golf at the highest level full-time, or do I follow my dad's footsteps into the world of finance? I wondered what working in the financial world would look like for a young woman like me. I would be lying if I ever said I wasn't looking forward to engaging myself in the world of business, using the game of golf and its many lessons to my full advantage. No matter what path I would ultimately choose, being a part of the Duke women's golf family has left me feeling prepared, supported and loved going into this next chapter.
I prayed often, asking for guidance on what path I should choose. Although it was stressful and nerve-wracking to say the least, what a blessing it had become for me to have earned the choice between multiple fabulous opportunities. Great rewards stem from the pursuit that comes after making a tough decision. I refer to the words of Annika Sorenstam, who describes it perfectly: there are so many mountains in life to climb, and golf is just one of them. From her wisdom, I pondered that there is a third path, one that blends my love for the game with my desire to learn and be in the finance world. All this time I was focused on a polarized decision, but it doesn't have to be that way. My love for the game isn't tied to whether I choose to play professionally, but the experiences, lessons, people, places and opportunities this game brings.
I choose to keep playing the game I love, at the amateur level. I also choose something new: a role in the world of finance. Upon completing my final collegiate golf season, I will compete in the Women's Amateur Championship before starting as an analyst at J.P. Morgan Asset Management in New York City. I could not be more excited for this opportunity and for what lies ahead.
Golf and finance can be, and are, intertwined. I can do both and not feel like I'm sacrificing one for the other. That is what my dad was trying to tell me all those years ago. My golf game isn't going anywhere. I choose to use everything this game has taught me about myself and about life. I choose to continue to learn and grow. I choose to hold on to the game that brought my family closer and brought me a new family: the Duke Golf family. Golf will always be a part of my life.
Through all of this journey, I owe it to my family that has stood by me at every step of the way. My grandma and late grandpa, who were the first phone call after receiving the verbal offer to play for Duke University. All my aunts, uncles, cousins and family friends that were always there to cheer me from afar. My dogs, Penelope and Toby, who showed me unconditional love, slobber and all, everytime I came back from practice in high school and every time I came home while in college.
But most importantly, my mom, and my brother, Jackson. The tragedy of the loss of a father and husband that should have humbled a family only made us stronger. They are my rock. My mom became the mother and the father after my dad died, pushing me and my brother to stay on track. She displayed such strength, such selflessness and such courage. Having her to look up to everyday helped me show up and want to get better, to make my family proud. Jackson, who has become one of my closest friends as we finally outgrew the rival sibling age. He's there when I need it most, to put a smile on my face, or to carry my bag on some of the biggest stages in women's amateur golf. My family gives me purpose. They are why I do what I do. I wish my dad was here to see all of it. I had only hoped I had made him proud. Now, with nudges from those around me, I am armed with the blessing of knowing that I have, and will continue to, make my dad proud.
When I entered Duke, I thought I was becoming part of the Duke team. As I leave Duke, I now know that I am a part of the Duke family. I can't say enough about what a privilege and an honor it has been to play for Coach Brooks and Coach Whithaus, although playing was only a small piece of it. Building habits, making choices, managing emotions, fueling self-belief, and cultivating growth more accurately describe my journey with Coach Brooks and Coach Whithaus. I wish I had another four years.
Duke University and the Duke women's golf team will always be a part of me and my story. The two, in unison, have me excited for what lies ahead in my next chapter. Duke is everything I wanted and more. I couldn't imagine a better place to call my second home.
Go Duke, forever.
Andie Smith
It was my late dad's dream, and mine, to play collegiate golf while getting a world class education. The combination of being a high-level female golfer and highly educated would prove successful in the financial world, where my dad's work resided. He would say to me and my brother, "that little white ball can take you places you can't go without it." He was so right.
I can't say thank you enough to Coach Brooks and Coach Whithaus for taking a chance on me and giving me the opportunity all those years ago to play for such a competitive and historic program. I hoped I had made my dad and the rest of my family proud by achieving such an opportunity so early on, but my journey had just begun.
Being at a place like Duke, I was pushed to put my best self forward athletically and academically. "So much opportunity, not enough time to do it all," is how I typically felt. I wanted to take full advantage of the opportunity to learn, taking as many classes as possible with professors and subjects that intrigued me the most, while saving plenty of time to improve my golf game with team practice and additional practice on my own time. I embodied the Duke student-athlete experience, from going to Training Table with my teammates, attending many Duke Basketball games as a Cameron Crazie, studying late at night in Perkins and K Center, taking spare time to walk through the Duke Gardens, and attending DWG's infamous Saturday lift with our honorary member, Britton.
Early on, I figured out how to effectively manage my mind to handle such a high demanding schedule, and so I pushed myself further. Every semester, I was excited to take new classes and eager to continue to improve my golf game physically and mentally. I wanted to show up my best for my team on the course and best for myself in the classroom. I won the 2024 Tar Heel Invitational and contributed to multiple team wins and top finishes. My game felt good, but I still felt that I can continue to get better. Academically, I decided to complete my undergraduate degree and certificate in three years and enroll in a one year Masters program at the Fuqua School of Business for my fourth year of eligibility. I felt the two degrees would serve me well long term when I chose to enter the financial world.
There's a quote I read that resonated with me, and I think it's a quote most student-athletes would resonate with too: "remember that once, you dreamed of being where you are now." We spend so much of our days rushing through life, through our to-do list, through the homework, the meals, the sleep, stressing ourselves out so much that we often forget to cherish the present moment and what it took to get there. The opportunity to be at a place like Duke, playing the sport I love, surrounded by the most tremendous people is so special and something I couldn't be more grateful for. It is a blessing to be tired doing what I love and used to dream of doing. I couldn't have imagined a better four years surrounded by the most encouraging coaches and amazing support staff that were there for me and for my teammates at every step of the way. There aren't enough ways to say thank you.
To me, my job for my four years at Duke was to excel at an equally high-level in school and golf. Over my later years at Duke, the question of whether I would continue to play golf at the professional level would come up. The chance to turn pro was never a part of the job I laid out for myself, but was a pleasant side effect of the work I was putting in. Early on in my college career, I didn't have the understanding of what it takes to be a great professional and I didn't recognize the importance of what I already had. I finally understood that I do have what it takes, with Coach Brooks and Coach Whithaus always there to confirm that I had what it took. It was exciting to know that those around me saw me capable of success professionally. I just didn't know what a life with just golf would look like, or make me feel like.
The past year I was faced with a decision that, at the time, felt like it would determine my whole world. What I finally came to realize is that there could be no bad outcome. My choices, determination, and persistence had created multiple opportunities for the next chapter of my life that younger Andie could have only dreamed of. Do I choose to play golf at the highest level full-time, or do I follow my dad's footsteps into the world of finance? I wondered what working in the financial world would look like for a young woman like me. I would be lying if I ever said I wasn't looking forward to engaging myself in the world of business, using the game of golf and its many lessons to my full advantage. No matter what path I would ultimately choose, being a part of the Duke women's golf family has left me feeling prepared, supported and loved going into this next chapter.
I prayed often, asking for guidance on what path I should choose. Although it was stressful and nerve-wracking to say the least, what a blessing it had become for me to have earned the choice between multiple fabulous opportunities. Great rewards stem from the pursuit that comes after making a tough decision. I refer to the words of Annika Sorenstam, who describes it perfectly: there are so many mountains in life to climb, and golf is just one of them. From her wisdom, I pondered that there is a third path, one that blends my love for the game with my desire to learn and be in the finance world. All this time I was focused on a polarized decision, but it doesn't have to be that way. My love for the game isn't tied to whether I choose to play professionally, but the experiences, lessons, people, places and opportunities this game brings.
I choose to keep playing the game I love, at the amateur level. I also choose something new: a role in the world of finance. Upon completing my final collegiate golf season, I will compete in the Women's Amateur Championship before starting as an analyst at J.P. Morgan Asset Management in New York City. I could not be more excited for this opportunity and for what lies ahead.
Golf and finance can be, and are, intertwined. I can do both and not feel like I'm sacrificing one for the other. That is what my dad was trying to tell me all those years ago. My golf game isn't going anywhere. I choose to use everything this game has taught me about myself and about life. I choose to continue to learn and grow. I choose to hold on to the game that brought my family closer and brought me a new family: the Duke Golf family. Golf will always be a part of my life.
Through all of this journey, I owe it to my family that has stood by me at every step of the way. My grandma and late grandpa, who were the first phone call after receiving the verbal offer to play for Duke University. All my aunts, uncles, cousins and family friends that were always there to cheer me from afar. My dogs, Penelope and Toby, who showed me unconditional love, slobber and all, everytime I came back from practice in high school and every time I came home while in college.
But most importantly, my mom, and my brother, Jackson. The tragedy of the loss of a father and husband that should have humbled a family only made us stronger. They are my rock. My mom became the mother and the father after my dad died, pushing me and my brother to stay on track. She displayed such strength, such selflessness and such courage. Having her to look up to everyday helped me show up and want to get better, to make my family proud. Jackson, who has become one of my closest friends as we finally outgrew the rival sibling age. He's there when I need it most, to put a smile on my face, or to carry my bag on some of the biggest stages in women's amateur golf. My family gives me purpose. They are why I do what I do. I wish my dad was here to see all of it. I had only hoped I had made him proud. Now, with nudges from those around me, I am armed with the blessing of knowing that I have, and will continue to, make my dad proud.
When I entered Duke, I thought I was becoming part of the Duke team. As I leave Duke, I now know that I am a part of the Duke family. I can't say enough about what a privilege and an honor it has been to play for Coach Brooks and Coach Whithaus, although playing was only a small piece of it. Building habits, making choices, managing emotions, fueling self-belief, and cultivating growth more accurately describe my journey with Coach Brooks and Coach Whithaus. I wish I had another four years.
Duke University and the Duke women's golf team will always be a part of me and my story. The two, in unison, have me excited for what lies ahead in my next chapter. Duke is everything I wanted and more. I couldn't imagine a better place to call my second home.
Go Duke, forever.
Andie Smith
Players Mentioned
Thursday, November 13
Friday, October 03
Saturday, November 02
Saturday, October 19
