From the Pro Course to a New Chapter

Katharine Patrick on Golf, Growth, & Life after Sport

Katharine Patrick was seven years old when she got her first set of golf clubs.

They came from her next-door neighbor, a surrogate grandfather who saw her athletic spark while she played Little League baseball. He told her parents, “If she likes it and it takes off, I want to go with her to tournaments.” And that’s exactly what happened.

Her journey started with a community program called First Tee, which taught not just golf technique but life skills like sportsmanship, respect, and integrity. She still volunteers with them today.

“I think I was very happy I got started through that,” she said. “Some of my best friends are from it, too.”

By nine, Katharine was competing in junior tournaments. By 13, she was working with a golf-specific trainer. And by the end of high school, she had built a competitive resume that included national wins and a commitment to the University of Virginia.

Becoming a Competitor

Katharine’s early golf achievements quickly separated her from the pack. She remembers the turning point clearly — a junior tournament where she shot 68 in the opening round, won the event, and earned full exemption status on the AJGA circuit. That status meant access to the tournaments where college coaches scouted.

She went on to play in top-tier junior events across the country, balancing her musical studies at a performing arts high school with an intense tournament travel schedule.

By the time she entered college, the question wasn’t whether she was a good golfer — it was how far she wanted to go.

Chasing the Dream

At UVA, Katharine grew into the idea of playing professionally. Traveling as part of a top NCAA program, she saw teammates move on to the LPGA. The path ahead was clear — if she wanted it.

“Each summer after sophomore year, you kind of have to start to think: Are you doing pro golf after, or are you doing something else?” she said. “And our coach would definitely notice which we were deciding to do.”

Katharine chose to go all in.

She turned pro in 2019, advanced through the intense first stage of LPGA Q School, and secured partial status on the Epson Tour — the LPGA’s official developmental circuit. Over the next three years, she played in 13 tournaments during the COVID season alone, notching a win on a regional tour and multiple top 10 finishes on the Epson Tour. She competed across the U.S., often in 100+ degree heat, and invested heavily — physically, emotionally, and financially — to stay in the game.

When the Structure Disappears

By her third season, something started to shift.

Without the structure of school or a team behind her, Katharine was managing her entire life with none of the resources she previously had. She was thankful her parents were there to support her while she managed training schedules, travel logistics, finances, and emotional wellbeing throughout the pursuit.

“Going from college golf to pro golf was really tough. I had all these people watching over me before — now I didn’t have someone setting my practice schedule. I was doing it myself.”

She began to feel the difference — especially in the off-season.

“It sounds bad, but I wasn’t spending as much time practicing as I should have,” she admitted. “And that’s your job. What else are you going to be doing?”

Katharine had always thrived in structured environments, surrounded by teammates, accountability, and clear goals. When that was gone, the joy and motivation started to fade. By late 2022, she made the decision to step away from competitive golf.

Making the Transition

Life after sport hasn’t come with a roadmap. There’s no recruitment process or guaranteed internship. And in those early job interviews, Katharine realized something jarring:

“There were no questions about my golf. It was just kind of like, ‘What are you doing here?’”

“It was eye-opening and very tough. You’re not really thinking about what comes after pro golf while you’re in it — it’s not like there’s a clean path laid out. And I was just ready to have my independence and start something new.”

That didn’t stop her. With the help of a family friend, she eventually landed a role at a boutique investment firm — a place where she could contribute, learn, and take the next step forward.

She’s taking what she’s learning now and staying open to where it might lead—knowing that, like sport, the next chapter will take shape with time.

Lessons from the Fairway

When asked what advice she’d give her 15-year-old self, Katharine said:

“Do your best at it, but know that you’re putting time into something that will benefit you for your whole life.”

She still believes in the value of what sport gave her — discipline, resilience, a powerful network, and a deep well of confidence she now draws on as she figures out what comes next.

But if there’s one thing her story shows, it’s that she knows how to commit, adapt to her evolving self, and to keep moving forward.

Katharine Patrick is already accomplished but she’s still becoming. And that is okay.

What About You?

Have you ever faced a moment where the path ahead wasn’t clear — and you had to choose courage anyway?

Whether you’ve stepped away from sport, shifted careers, or are still figuring out what’s next, we’d love to hear your story.

Share your thoughts in the comments, or pass this along to a friend who might need a reminder that their next chapter is worth building — even if it’s still taking shape.