Junior golfer Emily Dixon knows her way around a golf course — perhaps better than most currently on the PGA tour.
That’s because she grew up with the sport. Her parents own a golf course, which allowed her to start golfing at the young age of three and already log in many years playing competitively.
“We have the course right in the center of our town,” Dixon said. “And, it’s nice to be able to wake up in the morning and walk out and just play or practice whenever I want. I live right behind the ninth hole.”
Dixon said her constant access to the golf course has allowed her to improve her game.
“Being able to go out every day and practice helps, because usually when I come home for the summer, I’m out on the golf course every day, either practicing, chipping or playing nine holes before dark,” she said. “I get a lot of practice.”
All of this practice has seemingly paid off.
After finishing her junior year of high school as the 11th best golfer in the state of Ohio, Dixon began her collegiate golfing career at the University of Toledo, where she recorded a 54-hole low of 235 at the Hoosier Invitational in Indiana.
Last spring, Dixon decided to transfer to Youngstown State University. Since then, she has only continued to improve — she shot a 73 at both the Red Flash Invitational and Horizon League Championship, earning a medal in the former.
Dixon made the decision to come to YSU following a visit to campus.
“The girls I met were just awesome,” she said. “And, I really, really liked coach Nate Miklos. His methods and the way he coaches were just exactly what I was looking for and what I didn’t get at Toledo. I had issues with the coach there.”
Dixon also said she enjoys playing at the local courses like Mill Creek Park and the Youngstown Country Club.
“I shot a 69 at the YCC, and we just played there again last week,” Dixon said. “It was awesome. I like that course. I’ve played pretty well there.”
As for her goals for the rest of the season, Dixon said she intends to play competitively while concurrently having fun.
“I try to take it one tournament at a time and one day at a time with my golf game,” Dixon said. “I’m looking forward to … Oakland. It’ll be fun.”
The women’s golf team plays next in Rochester, Michigan at the Oakland Golden Grizzly Invitational.