Brynn’s journey

Editor’s Note: This is part five of a monthly series where Brynn Walker Collins describes her experience in professional golf. A former University of North Carolina golfer, Walker Collins competes on the Epson Tour, a circuit that offers top finishers access to the LPGA Tour.  I have attended the ShopRite LPGA Classic for almost 10 years. Every single time, that has been as a player in the qualifier, the tournament field or both. This year was different. Instead of having a club in my hand the first full week of June, I had a pen and paper — playing the role of being in the media for the week. It’s been said that true understanding comes only when we step into another person's shoes; never have those words rung truer than during my experience at this year's tournament. The lessons I learned, and the perspective I gained, were nothing short of transformative.

When you’re immersed in the heat of competition, it’s as if the world shrinks and narrows down to a single point. Your focus becomes laser-sharp, your vision confined to the imme...