From the First Tee to the Epson Tour

Lakareber Abe’s story of steady growth—from walking her last hole at Alabama to chasing an LPGA card with presence and purpose.

The final hole of Lakareber Abe’s college career wasn’t just the end of a tournament—it was a walk she’ll never forget. Side by side with both her coaches, she made her way down the fairway one last time as a collegiate golfer. It wasn’t the storybook ending—her team had just lost the national championship—but in that moment, there was gratitude. There was closure. And there was love.

Before the pro card. Before the Epson and Ladies European Tours. Before the long stretches of solo travel, swing tweaks, and the relentless pursuit of excellence…

There was Houston.

There was First Tee.

And there was her sister.

The Start of Something Bigger

Lakareber’s story starts the way many great stories do: by following her sister. Two years older, her sister led the way into golf through the First Tee program—an organization that teaches life skills through sport. Lakareber was all in from the start.

“I just wanted to follow her,” she says.

Growing up in a golf family, the Abe household was active and full of movement—soccer, dance, tennis, competitive golf.

Even in her early years, Lakareber’s world was shaped by competition, community, and deep familial bonds. She didn’t dream about college golf right away—it became a goal around middle school—but by the time she arrived at the University of Alabama, her foundation was strong.

Finding Her People, Finding Her Place

“I remember stepping on campus and just loving it,” she recalls. “The coaching staff, the girls on the team—they were honest, supportive, grounded.”

Alabama didn’t just offer high-level athletics; it offered a culture that uplifted women’s sports. That mattered. So did the team. With a group of women she’d known for years through junior golf, Lakareber found herself surrounded by a crew that became her anchor through the intensity of Division I competition.

The days were long—morning workouts, class, practice, study hall. “You’re always moving. Always accountable. But it teaches you rhythm and resilience.”

And when the rhythm ended, it did so with both heartbreak and grace.

“I was the last person on the golf course during nationals,” she says. “We lost the finals. But I walked my last hole with both of my coaches. That moment will stay with me forever.”

The Professional Shift: All In, All at Once

There was no long exhale. No reflection retreat.

After nationals, Lakareber packed up, skipped a return to campus, and went straight into the professional circuit. There wasn’t even time to celebrate earning her pro card—it was finals week. “It just felt like a checklist at that point,” she says.

That kind of transition could rattle even the strongest. But Lakareber carried her groundedness with her.

Now, several years in, the rhythm is different—but no less demanding. Travel is constant. Pressure is real. There are doubts, logistics, flight delays, and weeks on end without a familiar face. But there’s also purpose.

“I’ve had to learn how I work best—how to recover, how to stay present, how to stay connected,” she says.

The Team Behind the Tour

She mostly travels solo, but she’s never alone. Her support system is vast and intentional.

A mental coach. A technical coach. Mentors. Friends she shares Airbnbs with during events. And her family—especially her sister—remain central to her world.

“I think having a core group of people who uplift you is essential. You need people who remind you who you are beyond the scorecard.”

For Lakareber, those people also help her hold joy. Like the time she competed in Kenya—close to where her parents grew up in Uganda. “That was incredibly meaningful,” she reflects. “It felt like coming full circle.”

What She’d Tell Her Younger Self

As we wrapped the conversation, I asked Lakareber what she’d tell her 15-year-old self. Her answer came quietly, but firmly:

“Whatever happens isn’t the end of the world. Look up. Appreciate where you are. Be proud of how far you’ve come.”

Final Reflection

Lakareber Abe is still writing her story in real time. She’s chasing an LPGA card this year, her game trending toward something big. But what’s most striking isn’t just the talent or the trajectory—it’s the calm.

She’s built something far deeper than a career. She’s built a way of being: present, connected, and anchored in gratitude.

And that? That’s the long game.

What About You?

Have you ever had to redefine success—or learn to walk at your own pace after chasing something big?

Whether you’re still competing or stepping into what’s next, we’d love to hear what keeps you grounded. Drop a comment or share your story.

And if this resonated, consider sending it to a teammate, sibling, or friend who might need the reminder: your path doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s.