Jamie Freedman had no choice but to play golf, conforming to her father’s addiction to this deceptively simple yet endlessly complicated game.
“When I was little, he would put plastic clubs in my crib and I would pretend that I was swinging. I watched Tiger Woods as I sat in my high chair. My dad played golf everyday so he would bring me with him in the stroller, so I was always around golf,” said Freedman, freshman undecided major.
Born and raised in Miami, Freedman built a unique relationship with her father as they practiced golf together.
Freedman played four years of golf at American Heritage in Plantation. Her accomplishments include a 72 stroke average her senior year. She was a district champion with a 4-under 66. She was also eighth at state with a 149 and was named to the Miami Herald’s All-Broward First Team following her junior season. Freedman was a four-time participant at the FHSAA Girls Golf Finals. Some of her awards include the Most Improved award she earned her senior season, in addition to High Honors awards all four years of high school, as she was a part of the AJGA HP Scholastic Honor Roll.
Freedman plans on majoring in legal studies and pursuing a career in law after law school.
I got the chance to sit down with Freedman and ask a few questions.
What do you like best about golf?
“I like that it tests my patience and makes me become a determined person in all parts of my life, not just sports. I also like that I get to meet new people all the time.”
What other hobbies do have besides golf?
“I danced competitively before. When I was about ten years old, I decided that I wanted to play golf.”
Do you plan to continue playing after college?
“Yes, but right now I want to make sure I do well in school. I’ll see where golf takes me when I’m done with school.”
What’s your most memorable moment?
“It was when I qualified for U.S. junior amateur last year, and I went to Indiana. I didn’t play as well as I wanted, but I learned so much from the experience. I learned to be patient and to not be so stressed about everything. I take that with me to every tournament now.”
Have you ever had a golf-related injury?
“I had scoliosis surgery in eighth grade, and I didn’t go to school for 6 months. I had to take that time off from golf, too. My back was curved because I played when the doctor told me that I’m not supposed to. The day he told me that I was finally allowed to play, my dad and I already had our stuff in the car, and we went straight to the golf course. And a month later, I played in my first tournament.”
When’s a time you felt most proud of yourself?
“On signing day, that day I felt like everything that I worked hard for paid off. I like to look back at all the memories I had.”
Did you have a coach that influenced you?
“He was my swing coach. He actually lives in New York, now. I only get to see him a couple of times a year. He’s always taught me to believe in myself. You don’t have to play well to prove to yourself that you’re a good player. You don’t have to prove it to anyone.”
Is practice harder after losing?
“No, I actually think it’s more motivating because it makes me want to get better. Especially for the team as a whole; I think it’s more motivating.”
How do you celebrate winning?
“I take a day off and practice more because when you’re not practicing, other people are.”
Does anyone is your family play golf other than your dad?
“My sister played when she was younger, but not anymore. My dad is happy that I’m playing at least.” Who’s your favorite golfer?
“Luke Donald, because he’s small, and I’m small. All of his credit comes from short game, and he’s not a long driver of the golf ball, and neither am I. But I practice hours and hours of short game, and I actually got to meet him a couple of years ago; he practiced short game with me. That was really cool.
Do you have any special rituals before games?
“I always put three three-footers that break left to right, and I have to make them all, or else I won’t be able to play.”
If you could travel anywhere in the world where would you go?
“I would pick Australia because it’s really cool. I want to go to the beaches and all the different places that are there. My second choice would be India.”
CREDIT: COURTESY OF J.FRAYSURE
