PEMBROKE — Playing golf for The University of North Carolina at Pembroke was always Meredith Godwin’s only choice.
Friday morning, the Purnell Swett High School senior made it official as she signed to play with for UNCP this fall.
“I’m just blessed to be a part of this team,” Godwin said. “It’s going to help me with the support of the community, my family and my friends.”
To go along with being able to stay close with her family and friends locally, she also said the family atmosphere with the team was a major draw to sign with the program.
A four-year state championship qualifier, Godwin follows the footsteps of UNCP senior Laura Bird who plays on the women’s golf team and also attended Purnell Swett. Going through the recruiting process, Bird has been there to help Godwin with whatever she has had questions about.
“I’ve asked her a million questions and she’s answered them for me,” Godwin said of Bird. “She’s told me what’s like to be on the team and what to expect. She’s been a lot of help.”
Of all the many changes that come with transition to playing a college sport, practicing at Pinecrest Country Club will be one constant. Godwin practicing alongside the Purnell Swett golf team is something coach Jamie Locklear said will be a positive for the girls on the team that have got to know her as teammates.
“Some of my girl that are young on my golf team look up to Meredith,” Locklear said. “That’s a good thing that they will get to see a local playing with them. We will still get to see her at Pinecrest, since she’s still going to be at home.”
She understands how much more of a workload of playing collegiate golf will be compared to high school, and feels that she’s up to the task.
“I just have to increase my work level,” Godwin said. “I’m just going to have to work a lot harder than I did in high school.”
“I do know that UNCP is getting a kid that’s going to work very hard,” Locklear said. “She’s going to be loyal, not only on the athletic side, but also the academic side.”
Godwin improved her finish at the state championships each year finishing out her career with a 20th-place finish last month. Her junior year she finished in 29th and as a sophomore she finished in 50th.
