Maine Maritime Academy

Hometown: Savannah, Georgia
Major: Marine Transportation Operations
Anticipated Graduation Year: 2023
 
Why did you choose to attend Maine Maritime, being all the way from Georgia? It was the easiest and best decision of my life. Maine Maritime is the perfect fit for me. I was planning on going to a maritime school to get my unlimited tonnage license, and I wanted to continue my golf career. Even though MMA is the northernmost maritime school, it is the only one with a golf team, so I chose to go to school 1,200 miles away from home.
Why did you choose Marine Transportation Operations for a major? I want to become a Harbor Pilot in Savannah and travel the world, and a degree in MTO offers both those options.
What first got you interested in golf? My dad and grandpa play, and whenever I visited my grandpa in the summer I would watch golf with him and attend golf camps. I fell in love with the game from the moment I started. My dad is a big part on why I kept playing. He would drive me all around Georgia and watch me play in different tournaments and it was those trips that made me realize golf is the sport I want to keep playing. 
Tell us about something outside of Mariners Athletics that you are really interested in? I’m really interested in traveling. Whether it’s here in the States or abroad, I want to see all the world has to offer.
Who on campus has made the biggest impact on you? There are too many to name one specific person. All the professors here have been a tremendous help both in and out of the classroom. Coach Tapley has been instrumental in helping my golf game and is a great role model. The community here at MMA is one of the best I’ve seen and everyone wants you to succeed. 
Tell us about a summer experience related to Maine Maritime. Even though Covid has set me back, my freshman cruise was a great experience. There aren’t many schools where you get to have as much of a hands on experience as we are offered. Having the opportunity to use what you learn in the classroom in the real world is great. 
What’s your favorite part about being on the Men’s Golf team? The camaraderie and getting to play a lot of nice courses in Maine and this region of the U.S. Since I’m from Savannah, I don’t really get to play a lot of mountainous courses, and it’s a great experience to travel around the state. Mariners Athletics also provides you the opportunity to meet people you usually wouldn’t get to meet otherwise. 
What advice would you give incoming freshmen? Everyone here has been in your shoes as a freshman, so don’t be afraid to reach out to upperclassmen for help.
How did you balance academics, the regiment, and athletics? It’s a lot to handle at first, but you eventually find your groove and get a set schedule to balance it all.

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