Junior Emma Packard has been a consistent leader on the golf course for the women’s golf team. Packard finished second overall at the Heidelberg Fall Invitational in mid-September. With two tournaments left in the fall season, Packard reflected on how she will continue her success: “I will continue doing everything I have been doing and try to keep this momentum going for as long as possible. I want to continue practicing hard and stay mentally engaged too.” Golf is a very mental game. A good golfer is patient, focused, concentrated, and has tremendous emotional control. Golf is a difficult game, and Packard rises up to the challenges that golf provides. “Everything you do has to have a purpose. You have to put in the effort consistently, at whatever level you can, no matter what day it is or how you feel. Little things, sleep, nutrition, schoolwork, and more all add up to give you the capacity you show up to the course with,” said Packard. Outside of golf, Packard is a worship leader for FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes), a Raider Guide, secretary of book club, a participant in the Cantus Women’s Choir, Alpha Phi Omega, and the Mount Union Players, the theatre organization on campus. It is no secret Packard is a busy woman, but she puts her academics first and works hard at everything she does, which correlates to the success she has on the golf course. Packard has a drive to succeed in all that she does, which is a lot, her passion for all of her activities will take her far in life. She keeps a level head on and off the course as she manages her many tasks and roles on campus. Packard has a mindset and mentality that is hard to find in people. “When coming to a tournament, I have several routines I go through to prepare my mind for the day. I listen to my favorite music, write my thoughts down, and try to think of a few phrases to dwell on during my round. My favorite thought right now is ‘Use whatever God gave you today to the best of your abilities.’ I can’t control a lot of factors in golf, but I can control how I handle them,” stated Packard. 

Balancing individual and team success in golf could be a difficult task for some, but to Packard they go hand in hand: “An individual’s success alone does not make the team succeed, but it can help. It can build confidence and create security in a team, boost morale, and motivate other teammates to succeed too.” Packard credits part of her success to her teammates. The 2025 Mount Union women’s golf team has a group of wonderful women who lift each other up and support each other on and off the course. “The support of my team means the world to me. They are a major part of my success and are a blessing on and off the course. Each individual is so unique, and we have a group of great golfers and amazing women. We help each other grow, hold each other accountable, and remind each other of our strengths when struggling. They are what make this team special and a privilege to be a part of,” said Packard.

The women’s golf team heads to the Tartan Invitational, hosted by Carnegie Mellon, on October 6th and 7th. Be sure to stay up to date on Packard and her teammates for the remainder of the fall season!