Swinging through life: Brenna Miller’s journey of golf, growth and goals
Blythe Barrineau, Sports and Visual Arts Editor
Photo courtesy of Brenna Miller
Brenna Miller is a senior business management major who is also a member of the women’s golf team. Her journey to this sport was a little unusual but has worked out for the best.
Miller started her athletic career playing softball. She remembers this experience because of the favoritism many of the coaches showed towards other members of the team.
Miller says that her mom was the one who suggested she take up golf.
“We just wanted to do something to be different,” Miller said. “So I was like, why not? It was individual, your score is your score. There was no favoritism.”
Her desire to stand out and be different from others quickly turned into a genuine passion and love for the sport.
Miller knew very early on into her golf career that this was something she would want to pursue in college. She loves playing golf and loves being competitive and staying active.
Her career has been filled with many exciting accomplishments and memories. One thing that she loves about playing in college is the bond she gets to create with her teammates. Many of her most memorable college experiences have been while she’s traveling with the team.
The most unforgettable experience pre-college was from Junior Golf.
“There was this tournament I had to win because I was behind in points. I had to win it to qualify for the next round and I did. I just thought that was the coolest thing, because I put the pressure on myself and I did it,” said Miller.
Miller’s passion for golf and excitement has never worn and has led her to many accomplishments while at NGU.
During the 2023-2024 season, Miller’s sophomore year, the women’s golf team placed 1st at the conference tournament. She was also named to the 2nd team all-conference.
During the 2024-2025 season, she finished a round of the tournament under par for the first time in her career. She placed 5th overall in the tournament. This accomplishment is one she keeps in her mind as an encouragement.
“If I did it once, I can do it again,” said Miller.
These accomplishments were once goals she had set for herself. Now that she has achieved these goals, she has established some new ones for her final season of collegiate golf.
Miller hopes to place in the top five at a tournament this year as well as help her team win another conference championship.
There are many people Miller gives credit to getting her to where she is today. Her mom gave her the idea to start playing golf but her swing coach, Dale Ketola, is someone who has helped encourage and lead her in the right direction. She also adds she sees former teammates Nicole Kramer and Caroline Smith, as excellent role models for her.
“They were both mentors to show me how to be that upper classman leader. I’m trying to be good at it this year,” said Miller.
Beyond college, Miller is looking to obtain her masters in business administration. She hopes to find a job that will support her. She is also hoping to stay involved with golf by playing in amateur tournaments – for fun.
“If it’s going well, I might try to qualify for the U.S. Women’s Am. I might try to do that just for the experience while I’m in my prime, you know,” said Miller.
Throughout her journey, Miller expresses the importance of balance. She says the most valuable piece of information for a student athlete is to learn time management. She suggests getting together with other athletes or members of your team to study and be around.
Another piece of advice she offers is to not let stress of assignments and school bleed into your athletics and vice versa.
“Try to do something to disassociate and keep them separate because I’ve had moments where I’m at a tournament and I’m thinking so much about all the school that I’m missing and I can’t play well. Then you’re so stressed about your sport that when you’re in the classroom, you can’t even think about the classroom,” said Miller.
As Miller continues to chase her dreams, on the course and in her professional career, her story is a reminder that with hard work, balance and a love for what you do, success is in reach. Whether she’s winning tournaments or building her future in business, Brenna Miller exemplifies the power of perseverance and passion.
