Every fall season features a new horde of athletes at Pepperdine however there are very few that finish high school in December and come to college in January. Grace Na decided to leave high school a semester early to jumpstart her collegiate career at the age of 17.
“My friends from high school said I’d be missing memories. Six months of memories versus 10 years of career.” Na chose her career.
Borne in Temple Texas and raised in Alameda California Na consistently ranked as one of the top junior players in the United States She was “never a winner but always in the top 10 to 15.”
Na lowered her chin remembering her junior competitions against girls who had more privileges than her.
“Some girls had professionals helping them. They definitely had an advantage. I was taught by my dad on a public course … and had to work that much harder she explained positively.
When her senior year of high school rolled around, Na began looking at potential colleges and was sold on Pepperdine’s facilities (namely Alumni Park and the view).
For me prom walking at graduation didn’t really mean much. Everybody does it; it’s nothing special. It’s special if I leave early she said in a February interview with Golfweek.
I came here to be one of the top players she explained, and have become more confident and realized that [I have] more potential than those girls referring to her competitors in junior national competitions.
Na started traveling on her own at the age of 14. All of that traveling for competitions made her very independent, she said. That’s why she, and her parents, knew that going to college a semester early wouldn’t be a difficult transition for her.
I was really over high school she complained. Some people said I wouldn’t adjust socially but Na didn’t care. She chose Pepperdine, and her parents couldn’t be happier.
Na is pursuing an All-American title in her time at Pepperdine, and is ranked No. 37 as a freshman, with only four collegiate competitions, in her first semester of collegiate training and tournament play.
I’m focusing on my game and my body. I’ve been maturing a lot mentally and enjoy the game a lot because sometimes it was difficult to enjoy my passion just because my parent’s were heavily involved.”
Furthering her development Na was surprisingly amused to come to Pepperdine and meet a good friend of hers from junior competition sophomore Danielle Kang Pepperdine’s top player and 2010 U.S. Women’s Armature Champion.
“I met her when I was 13 Na said. We got close through [various junior] tournaments and now we’re rooming together.”
The two were ironically paired to play against each other in the beginning of stro play (dual) in the 2010 Women’s Am Championship before narrowing the field to brackets. Kang narrowly defeated Na 2-1 and went on to win the tournament.
“I didn’t mind losing to the champion Na said. Before the first tee Na remembered, she said ‘Whatever happens we’re getting our nails done [after this].’ Maybe this year I’ll get it back from her.”
After the defeat in Charlotte N.C. they walked off the green hand in hand and were photographed smiling and laughing with their arms around each other.
The duo was even featured in a humorous article on golfweek.com as they both have ironically similar stories: junior national contenders leaving high school early coming to Pepperdine quickly ascending All-American rankings in women’s golf.
Standing five feet four inches tall Na isn’t a player to overlook in coming seasons as she catches up to Kang currently leading the women’s golf team in tournament results.
Last year Pepperdine ranked No. 21 in the nation and since Na’s arrival in January has improved to a No. 19 national standing No. 3 in Southern California according to golfstat.com.
Before arriving at Pepperdine Head Coach Laurie Gibbs believed Na would “definitely impact us right away. Her game is very mature for her age.”
Bringing a humorous attitude to practice and a dignified maturity to competition Na has brought a new energy and renewed life to the team with her “soul-sister” Kang. As the women’s golf team continues their season Friday 1 through Sunday 3 in the PING/Arizona State University Invitational in Tempe.
With two weeks left until the WCC Championships in Hollister Calif. on April 18 and 19 Na is slowly moving up national rankings while looking long-term focusing on her bigger picture.
