A Day at Oakmont

There are certain days as a parent that stay with you a little longer.
This was one of them.

I took my daughter Mya out to watch the Big Ten Women’s Golf Championship at Oakmont Country Club—and it turned into more than just a day at a tournament.

First off, big thank you to Kevin Kwan for the invite. Getting access to a place like Oakmont is already special, but being able to bring Mya along made it something I’ll remember for a long time.Walking the course with her, you start to see it differently. You’re not just watching golf—you’re watching how these young athletes move, how they think, how they carry themselves between shots. The focus is real. The pace, the routines, the discipline… it’s a different level.

And for a 10-year-old, even if she can’t put it into words yet, she’s taking it all in.
She’s seeing what preparation looks like.
She’s seeing how players respond after a bad shot.
She’s seeing what competing at a high level actually feels like.
That kind of exposure matters.

What made the day even more meaningful for us was having someone to root for. Our good friend’s niece, Kacey Ly, was out there representing UCLA Bruins women’s golf—one of six players competing for UCLA.
As a UCLA alum, that hit home.

You’re not just watching a tournament at that point—you’re invested. Every tee shot, every approach, every putt means a little more. And Kacey showed up. She played solid golf and carried herself the right way all week.
If not for a tough stretch on the back nine of day one, she easily had a shot to be right there near the top of the leaderboard. That’s how tight it is at this level—one stretch can change everything.
But honestly, that’s part of what made it a great experience for Mya to see too.

It’s not just about playing well when things are going your way. It’s how you handle it when they’re not.

No reactions. No excuses. Just keep moving.
That’s a lesson that goes way beyond golf.
By the end of the day, it wasn’t about who won.

It was walking the course together. Talking through shots. Letting her ask questions. Watching her get curious about the game in a different way.
Those are the moments you can’t force. You just have to be there for them.

And if you get the chance to bring your kids into environments like this—where they can see what excellence, discipline, and competition look like up close—it’s always worth it.