The success behind Grinnell’s golf teams

Through the high winds and the biting cold of the Iowan fall and spring seasons, through the snow-packed winters that bring the inconvenience of training indoors, Grinnell’s golf team has always found a way to deliver a successful performance. The women’s team is currently eyeing their 10th consecutive conference title, while the men’s team is currently having their second all-time best season in terms of stroke average with 311.67 across 6 games.

Several players attributed their success to beginning the sport at a very young age with their fathers as coaches.

“My dad has always been a big golfer,” said Thornton Walker `26, who started playing golf at the age of four. “He’s always been my golf coach, always there along for the ride and helping me improve at each level.” 

In fact, Walker’s father often travels to help the team during games, acting as a spotter and giving valuable advice to him and his teammates. Similarly, Roger Smith `28, a newcomer to the team, began playing golf at the age of eight with his father, who is a scratch golfer, or a golfer with a handicap of zero.

Roger Smith `28 hits the ball off the tee during practice at the Grinnell College Golf Course on April 11, 2025. (Meilynn Smith)

On the women’s team, Vidushi Keni `26 grew up living just two minutes away from the golf course in her hometown of Bangalore, India. Keni describes her grandfather and uncle, both experienced golfers, as part of the reason she began playing.

Despite not having experienced relatives in the sport, Meilin Hoshino `27 scored her first hole at just two years old. She began playing competitively at five and progressed into Brazil’s national team, where she represented her country in five IMG Academy Junior World Golf Championships and finished as the third best player in Brazil in 2022.

However, adjusting to training conditions in Grinnell came with challenges for all of them. Keni and Hoshino, both coming from countries with a tropical climate, found it especially hard to get used to the cold weather during the fall and spring.

“Playing in freezing temperatures and strong winds was very challenging,” Hoshino said, noting that the weather still occasionally impacts her performance.

“It’s been quite the challenge,” said Keni. “But being able to navigate different types of weather has definitely made me mentally stronger.” Both emphasized the importance of the team to maintain mental composure under such conditions.

Vidushi Keni `26 carefully lines up her putt on the green during practice at the Grinnell College Golf Course on Sept. 26, 2024. (Meilynn Smith)

Since golf is an all-season sport, the athletes need to find a way to stay fit during the winter, when the golf course is covered in snow and regular practice is impossible. While Smith sees many advantages to training indoors, he finds that there is nothing directly translatable to playing outside. This also makes the transition to the spring season sudden. For Hoshino, the winter means she has to practice less than she used to. “I would practice every day from four to seven, and now I have to face the different seasons.”

Each golfer finds trouble playing in the high winds, which are common for the Midwest. “Sometimes you’ll hit a good shot and you’ll just catch a gust of wind and the ball will go sailing off in the wrong direction,” said Smith. “And then I just stand there.” High winds can also ruin competitions, as Walker shares that one of his poorest performances happened during the first day of a tournament where he had to face 40 mph winds. But, he did not give up. “I was really proud of the way I came back and shot almost a personal best the next day, and ultimately I posted a very respectable score,” he said.

Walker said he initially viewed the small size of the team as something challenging, but has since adapted to embrace the benefits of a small team. During his first year, the men’s team had ten players, which created a competitive atmosphere as only five could participate in a tournament. The team currently consists of only five golfers, “I look at it in a pretty positive light,” he said, regarding the adjustment. “Everyone that’s on the team is going to play in every tournament, and they know that their score is going to matter.” 

For Hoshino, part of her key to success is being part of a small, close-knit team. “I enjoy practicing in college much more because I am with my teammates,” she said. “When I’m enjoying the game, my mental game is the strongest.” 

On the other hand, Smith’s recipe for success consists of three key factors. Keeping his golf skills in good shape — noting that he frequently practiced his swing during the winter — confidence and a little bit of luck with the weather.

As the end of the season is approaching, both teams have great expectations. “I think our number one goal is to be able to finish top five at Nationals,” said Keni, to which Hoshino later agreed. In the men’s team, Walker hopes to win the Cobalt Golf All-America Scholar Award for a second time, while Smith aspires to remain consistent and score at least a pair of 75s in each tournament, hoping to one day surpass his 68 performance at the Central Fall Classic that occurred last October, which ranked him third in the history of Grinnell’s extensive and consistent golf program.