Natalie Lovell '23 Recruiting Profile

I am a multi-sport athlete who has earned varsity letters in not only golf but also volleyball, archery, and tennis.  Also, I have decided to do track and bowling during my senior year.  Prior to high school, I played soccer and basketball.  As noted, I have participated in many sports, my favorite sport to play is golf.  

My grandpa took me to a driving range for the first time when I was 12 years old to see how I would do.  Much to his surprise, and mine too, I was somewhat of a natural.  We rented a set of clubs so I could try things out.  I hit all of the balls nearly straight every time and could drive the ball about 60-70 yards.  The golf pro walking by stopped to talk to us briefly after noticing me, and asked how long I had been playing.  I told him, “Today is my first time ever!”  He was astonished and asked if it was okay to work with me for a few minutes.  We agreed, and I had a 15 minute impromptu lesson.  By the time I was finished, I was driving the ball on average about 75-85 yards and I had so much confidence.  In those few short minutes, I knew I was hooked and wanted to learn as much as possible to get better and to keep playing as much as I could.   My grandpa called my mom and said he was getting me fitted for my first set of clubs and that I needed to contact my school right away to register to play on the school’s Junior High golf team, which was scheduled to start in a couple of weeks. From that point on, my grandpa took me out to play as much as possible and taught me a lot of the rules and etiquette of the game.  This went on for a couple of years until he got sick and then passed away two years ago.  I definitely credit the love I have for the game to my grandpa, and I believe he is watching over me and cheering me on when I play.  

When I first started playing competitively, the summer before 8th grade, I created a goals list of where I wanted and expected to be year over year by the end of each season and what I needed to work on to reach those goals and be ready by the beginning of the next one.  I knew it would take a lot of time and effort on my part to achieve my goals I had set forth, but I was motivated to become better.  I wanted to be #1 on the varsity team, and I knew I wanted to play in college, and now my goals include being one of the top junior golfers in the state.  So I continue to put in the time and make the effort to be the best I can be.  

This past summer (Sr year), I played many practice rounds but only participated in about a half dozen or so tournaments.    Due to having a part-time job and having volunteer requirements for school, I was not able to participate in as many tournaments like I did in the previous year, but most tournaments were 2-day events.  My highlights include 3 top 3 finishes, including champion of the Northern KY Jr Championship with KY PGA Jr Tour.  In addition, I attended a golf camp at Lipscomb University in mid-July.  My goals for this year on the course are to shoot even par, or better (at least once), lower my putting average to 30 or below, and lower my 18-hole average to 79 or below.  

I am proud to say that I am currently averaging  a 79 with the school tournaments I have played in so far this season.  I have led my team in every tournament played, and I am currently ranked #3 in my region.  Of the 7 tournaments,  I have had several rounds below 80, including 3 top 10 finishes.  My best score this season has been 74 (+3).  We played in 1 school match (9 holes) and I was low medalist with at 37 (+2), with only 12 putts!  

During my last season (Jr year), my average had dropped to the mid 80s by the time the school season even started.  My preseason highlights included winning two KY PGA Jr Tour Tournaments, being Runner-up Champion in the Midwest College Showcase in the Indianapolis area, and breaking 80 for the first time, and doing it twice.  I was also named to the Cincinnati/NKY 2021 Top Jr. Golfers to Watch List.  My season average for my junior year was an 82, shooting in the upper 70s 7 times, with my lowest score of 77.  I finished the school season ranked 60th in KY and 6th in my school region and was named to the All Region Team.   In addition, I was named to the 2021 Cincinnati Enquirer’s 1st Team Fall Sports All Stars for NKY Golf.

Sophmore year, I transferred schools and had to sit out temporarily until my eligibility was approved by the Kentucky High School Athletic Association.  It was tough for me to watch my teammates play while I could only cheer them on.  That short time away made me realize, even more, how badly I want to play golf at the next level.  Even though I missed most of the season due to ineligibility, I was thankful to be able to play in a few tournaments during that year.  I led my team at Regionals with an 87, and qualified as an individual for the KY State Tournament.  I was also named by The Cincinnati Enquirer on Northern Kentucky 2020 Fall Sports All-Stars 2nd Team for golf.

I want to reiterate how motivated I am to continue to improve my game because I desire to compete at the next level.   My average score has continued to drop year over year, and I truly love playing the game.