GoDuke.com Catches Up With Former Blue Devil Golfer Stephanie Sparks

Stephanie Sparks was a member of the Duke Women's Golf team from 1992-96 and then played on the FUTURES and LPGA Tour. After her golfing career concluded, Sparks began working at The Golf Channel. During her time at The Golf Channel, she has hosted Golf With Style, while co-hosting The Big Break III, IV, V and VI along with Vince Cellini. She also appeared in the movie Bobby Jones Stroke of Genius as Alexa Stirling. GoDuke.com sat down with Sparks to talk about her Duke days and her television career.

GoDuke.com: You were a four-year letterwinner at Duke from 1992-94 and 1996. How was your golfing experience with the Blue Devils?
Sparks: Looking back when you start in golf as an individual sport and then once you're out of college I can remember spending a lot of my years in college anticipating graduation and being able to turn professional. I couldn't wait to really be able to chase my dreams. Once that occurred, looking back on the team experiences and the camaraderie you can't touch or forget that. It's a different aspect of golf that you only get during that time. It's such a lonely sport so having that camaraderie and those years to look back on are definitely memorable.

GoDuke.com: In 1996, you led the Blue Devils to their fourth ACC Championship. Since then, Duke has not lost an ACC Championship winning 12 in a row. What was your feeling after winning the title in 1996?
Sparks: Each year we set goals for ourselves at Duke. We were never able to capture the NCAA title but winning the ACC title was obviously an achievement for all of us and something that we strived for each year. Now to see what the ladies have done since then is just phenomenal.

GoDuke.com: How has it been to watch the Duke women's golf program develop into five-time NCAA Champions?
Sparks: From a personal defense of having played under Coach Brooks I can't say enough about him as a coach. To me seeing the success of this team is a direct correlation of who he is as a coach. I expected this in the sense that he deserved it. He deserved to have a team like this and he deserved to win. I wish that we could have done it for him when I was there. I can't tell you enough how gratifying it is to me and how proud I am of him and these teams. The west coast teams used to be the ones to beat but now Duke is the team to beat and it's fantastic.

GoDuke.com: During your stay at Duke, what were some of the top memories of your Blue Devil career?
Sparks: The van rides were always interesting, but Coach Brooks is at the top of my list of memories. I remember specifically that he really made efforts to know his players. He knew I was the type of player that wanted to know information and the scoreboard. If I needed to make a birdie for a team then I wanted to know. There are coaches out there that have there own philosophy and their own way of thinking and think you should do the same. He treated every player well and didn't force anything. He gave them what they needed and gave them what they wanted and helped them perform better.

GoDuke.com: After you left Duke, you played on the LPGA one year. How was that experience?
Sparks: Even before the LPGA I played some on the FUTURES Tour and I think that made the LPGA tour even sweeter. It's a stepping-stone and then making it to the LPGA tour was something that I dreamed about since I was nine years old, which may be a moment that I will never forget. Going back to that moment would be the five or six hole playoff at Q-School and making the putt to finally get my exempt card and that feeling can never be forgotten.

GoDuke.com: Your career was cut short due to what type of injury?
Sparks: When I first turned pro after college my back had gone out and I ended up having surgery. Eight months later I went back to playing and as soon as I made the LPGA tour, right before the season started, my back went out again. I made a rookie mistake and I tried to play injured that whole year. By the end my back blew and it was really, really bad. It led to the second surgery but it was so bad and I had struggled with it for so many years that I made a very tough decision because of my back I wouldn't be able to pursue professional golf anymore.

GoDuke.com: Since arriving at The Golf Channel, you have had your hand in many different hats. How has your experience been with The Golf Channel and what have you enjoyed the most?
Sparks: It's been fantastic first of all. The people here I can't say enough about them. The environment and the excitement with the PGA Tour involvement are great too. But I would say my favorite would be the Big Break because I can relate to these players. I know what it is like to want those dreams and want to get out there. It's a great environment for them to test themselves under pressure situations. I think the Big Break five-prize package awarded to Ashley Prange really hit home to me. This was because I know what her expenses such as entry fees and travel costs were like on the FUTURES Tour. That alone was awesome. To give to a player the opportunity and not be worried about money so that all they have to do is play is wonderful. I don't think there was one year that I played were I wasn't worried about money. To give a player that opportunity that's what the Big Break is all about and that's why I'm proud to be associated with it

GoDuke.com: What was it like being in your first movie?Bobby Jones ? Stroke of Genius?
Sparks: That was an experience of a lifetime. It came about really as an accident. The local casting director wanted me to help evaluate swings. But I was too busy to come out for all day events but long story short she talked me into coming out and auditioning and next thing I know I was in Atlanta auditioning for the Director, Rowdy Harrington. I got the part and I was shocked. Acting on the first day was probably the most nervous I had been for anything. That experience is tough to put into words. I loved it and it gave me the same adrenaline rush as golf. I haven't pursed anything since then but if something comes up like that I would definitely be up for it again.

GoDuke.com: How did you first get involved in the television business?
Sparks: After my second surgery, I took some time off to heal. My friends at the Golf Channel had told me about the job in productions so I worked as a production assistant. My career basically took off from there. I worked for a year in production and they needed some females on their talent and asked me to audition. I said sure. Going into work for the Golf Channel, I didn't aspire to be in front of the camera. I wanted to learn the production side. However with the opportunity presented to me I couldn't pass it up.

GoDuke.com: You have been traveling the world with the show Big Break. How much have you enjoyed doing this show?
Sparks: Each Big Break series is amazing. We get some golfers that will never make it to that type pro level but then there are golfers there were you see the potential and raw talent. That's going to be exciting to follow those players and see if they can make a name for themselves. Being able to travel and see the country and having the opportunity to go to Scotland was priceless. It has allowed me a lot of great opportunities that I am grateful for.

GoDuke.com: While working Big Break in Hawaii, former Duke golfer Kristina Engstrom Tucker was involved with the show. Were you two able to talk about your Duke golfing days?
Sparks: It was great and also a UNC graduate Kimberly Lewellen was also on the set. So we had some conversations were it felt good to have another Duke reference to help back me up.

GoDuke.com: Do you keep in touch with Head Coach Dan Brooks?
Sparks: We try to. I wrote a letter to him and the girls before the last ACC Championship but I haven't talked to him since then. We need to do a better job.

GoDuke.com: How much golf do you get to play these days?
Sparks: Every now and then it's sporadic. I think last year I played three or four times and this year I'm trying to play even more but not as much like I used to.

GoDuke.com: Talk about Coach Brooks and what makes him such a good coach.
Sparks: He really cares about his players not just their goals. He cares about their adjustment with school and their personal lives. That makes more than anything a successful coach. The motivating factor there is you want to do well for him. And again looking back on my experiences I consider him a friend.

GoDuke.com Catches Up With Former Blue Devil Golfer Stephanie Sparks

Related News

Related Videos

Duke information