Freshman Charlotte Roodenburg (Rotterdam, Netherlands) started playing golf at nine years old. She remembers her dad would always go out to play on Saturdays and invited her along one time. After that, he got her in contact with a coach who has remained her mentor since then.
Her favorite memory from her childhood was making her first hole-in-one when she was 11.
“I was with my dad, some of his friends and two girls my age that I played golf with. I was so excited and overjoyed. Two days later it was my coach’s birthday and during practice, instead of having a birthday cake, he made the cake say it was my first hole in one,” said Roodenburg.
Roodenburg comments on her transition into college athletics, classes and a new country as a lot, but settling into a routine has been helpful.
“Everything is so different. When I had to go grocery shopping for the first time, I walked into the supermarket and was like this is so big, there are so many options, where do I go? Our supermarkets are probably not even a quarter of the size of yours,” said Roodenburg.
She was happy to have her parents come over with her to move in and get everything set up.
“I felt like I was able to adjust very quickly and so far, I haven’t been homesick. I talk to my friends and family, which is really good. It’s been a big adjustment with a lot straight to it. I think because you’re busy all the time you know how to stay on top of everything, that helps me get into the right rhythm,” Roodenburg shared.
When asked if she missed anything from back home, she said she missed bread! She also mentioned missing out on big events with friends and family where she wanted to give them a hug or say congratulations.
When looking at colleges to attend, Roodenburg made sure to look at a couple of different schools until she met her current coach.
“I just felt like the vibes were good, and I really liked what she was thinking with her program. I’m really big on the feeling and all that stuff. The way she talked to me and explained what her vision was made me feel good about it. I also looked at what I wanted to study, and I like international affairs, which is pretty good over here,” said Roodenburg.
To Roodenburg, being a student athlete is a lot of hard work and dedication.
“You’re balancing a lot of things at once. You have to perform well in the classroom and then you also want to do really well at your sport. You put in a lot of work outside of practice too, and it’s just very demanding. But I like it a lot. I think it requires a lot of discipline, but the rewards are great,” described Roodenburg.
As a freshman, Roodenburg still has a big career ahead of her as a collegiate golfer and student athlete with things she wants to accomplish.
“I want to travel to tournaments and do well, and I want the team to do well, too. I want to make memories and I want to create friendships and relationships that are going to last. I am also hoping that academically I can perform well in the classroom. The first semester went good, so I’m hoping to keep that up and embody being a student athlete,” said Roodenburg.
