Hole 1: Augusta Aspirations

"The greatest thing about tomorrow is I will be better than I am today. And that's how I look at my life." - Tiger Woods

Where better to start this journey than the beginning of Spring? April—a time for growth and renewal—everything is ready to bloom and start anew; time to dream big and reach new heights. For golfers, April brings the anticipation and exhilaration of the most storied Major of the year—the Masters. It’s the time to dust off the winter frost from your clubs, hit the range to brush up on your swing, and catch up on the latest fairway fashion trends.

Over the past few years, April has marked new beginnings and challenges for me. In April 2021, I was laid off from a company I had been with for almost 11 years. Career-wise, it was a period of relearning and making new decisions. The day I got the phone call was pretty devastating, especially since 30 minutes later, I also found out that my identity had been stolen, which if I’m being honest was probably a worse feeling. Luckily, my best friend was with me and had a generous pour of red wine in my hand very quickly.

I grew up in a generation where we approached our careers like a long, steady round—watching our parents have a long tenure with their companies. Both my mom and dad worked at the same company for 35+ years. That’s how I pictured my own path. But stepping outside of that mindset and being thrown back into the open job market, it was clear the game has changed. Younger millennials, Gen Z, and the next wave of professionals are playing with a different approach—one that values adaptability, growth, and finding the right fit over long-term loyalty to a single organization.

I didn’t fully grasp that shift until I looked back at my own experience. We’ve all seen those memes on LinkedIn or Instagram that say if a company says “We’re a family” it’s a red flag. Well, this company I was with may have been the exception to that rule. I was just about to turn 25 when I started there, spending most of my adult life and career with them. It was more than a job—it was where I met some of my best friends and where I changed my career niche for the better. We celebrated birthdays, weddings, and babies; traveled the world; it was a meaningful and transformative time in my life, whether I knew it at the time or not. Even after being laid off, many of them helped me network to find my next opportunity.

But I also learned some big lessons about the nature of relationships and business and relationships in business- that some people are only meant to be part of certain life chapters, and that's okay. It’s not always a bad thing; In fact, it made me appreciate my closest relationships even more and redefined how I view and navigate relationships today.

Good people and great relationships and business aren’t necessarily mutually exclusive. In an ideal world—and one in which I’ve thrived—business relationships are built on trust and impact. I’ve been fortunate to work with incredible bosses and coworkers who have made a lasting impression in my work environment and motivation, and I’ve also experienced the opposite. Maybe it’s my loyal nature, but I’ll run through a wall for those who would do the same. At the end of the day, business is business, and sometimes even good people have to make tough decisions. That’s just life.

And when those tough decisions directly impact you, it forces a shift – not just in career, but in mindset. Just like golfers dust off their clubs in the spring to prepare for a new season, I had to relearn some basics of my own. Updating a resume I hadn’t touched in years, navigating government unemployment and healthcare systems, and budgeting were just a few of the challenges. I NEVER had a budget (shamefully admitting so lol). I had to create a new daily routine focused on networking and job searches to keep the structure and discipline of working a 9-5. I was fortunate to find a new position in just two months, but those two months felt like a lifetime when you’re drowning in the unknown. A place I have never been comfortable in.

While those two months of uncertainty were challenging, my time at that organization left me with more than just career and life experience—it led to rediscovering my love for golf. The male-dominated environment often had client events centered around golf and annual office tournaments. To be clear, the sports enthusiast and tomboy in me didn’t mind it. I was itching at the chance to compete with the guys.

Growing up, I was surrounded by golf—weekends with my dad and aunt at the driving range and our local courses. My brother also played high school golf and has recently also rediscovered his love for the game, which has brought our relationship closer. For years I relied on just 5 clubs in my bag; driver, 7-iron, 9-iron, pitching wedge and putter. I lived for my 7-iron (and still do) because I felt the most comfortable and was most consistent when using it. Whether it was 150 yards or 75, I grabbed my 7 every time. My hybrids, on the other hand, were a mystery I avoided (mostly to not look like a dummy on the course).

When I decided to move back to California from Boston, one reason I chose San Diego was so I could play golf year-round, unlike Boston’s limited 5-month season. San Diego is also home to one of the nation’s most coveted and historic golf courses- Torrey Pines, which was an added plus. Once settled, I started lessons to improve and get more consistent, specifically with the dreaded hybrids. I even went to a women’s golf networking event, so I could meet more women to play with. There, I met some amazing new friends to play and socialize with. More reps, rounds and encouragement from my new favorite golf “cartner” helped my confidence in utilizing all the clubs in my bag. Regular range visits, tracking stats, and getting a handicap also made a huge difference. Sometimes I’ll be in the middle of round, even a bad one, and remind myself about how far I’ve come and how much I’ve improved, even if the self-critical voice in my head always thinks that I can do better. I try to remind myself of a quote I heard somewhere, “You’re not good enough to get mad.” If that isn’t the truth.

Learning to embrace change and maintain a positive outlook (huge emphasis on “learning”) has allowed me to not only navigate personal and professional hurdles but also allowed me to rediscover a passion for golf which truly brings me joy and fulfillment. So, as we welcome the season of growth and renewal, let's remember that every setback is an opportunity to learn, every challenge is a chance to improve, and every new beginning is a fresh start to achieve our goals. Life, as in golf requires patience, perseverance, and the willingness to adapt to new challenges. Just as a golfer must continually refine their swing and course strategy, we must evolve and grow in response to life’s unexpected turns, and boy… there are plenty of those!

As I begin this blogging journey and make “the turn” into this next chapter of life, my hope is to share my experiences, insights and lessons learned and connect with people who are navigating their own life paths or just want to talk about golf =).  As April opens the door to new possibilities, dream big, set new goals, find your people, and most importantly, throw your name into that Masters Lottery, because you never know. I’ve endured 13 years of the dreaded “Unfortunately your entry was not selected this year” email, but one day, it’ll happen! I know it!

Catch you on the next tee! Enjoy Masters Week!

Live the game, play the life.

Augusta National: Hole 12 Green Behind Hogan Bridge (photo: anwagolf.com)