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From Childhood to College: Brinker and Heflin’s Journeys to Duke
2/5/2023 2:26:00 PM | Women's Golf
By Charlotte Tannenbaum, Duke Athletics Communications Student Assistant
DURHAM – There's no question that Duke women's golf is a close-knit team. The talented group of seven spend long hours supporting one another on and off the course. But for two golfers, this relationship started long before they became Blue Devils – sophomore Rylie Heflin and junior Phoebe Brinker have known each other for over a decade. From high school rivals to college teammates, the ladies have remained close friends through it all.
"It's really cool the way that sports can bring people together," said Brinker. "You push each other and you grow with each other. We started at the lower level tournaments and then we worked our way up together."
Heflin and Brinker's friendship began at a summer camp in Pennsylvania when they were young golfers. Their paths continued to cross for years as they competed in tournaments against one another, and they even shared their first swing coach. When they were representing different high schools, the golfers still felt a shared connection as two of only a few girls playing amongst a high school bracket full of boys.
"Every spring, they would compete against one another at DIAA States and every year they cheered for each other where together they dominated the field, much to the chagrin of their competitive male opponents," recalls Rylie's mother Kim Heflin.
"Delaware golf didn't know how to handle it," declares Heflin.
No matter the scale of the competition, the girls always had each other's back.
"Even in the Delaware State championships, they kept their love of the game and for each other," confirms Phoebe's mother Tracy Brinker. "Honestly, it brings a tear to my eye thinking about them on the golf course pushing each other, and after the conclusion of a match congratulating each other, regardless of the outcome."
Growing up as high-level golfers in the youth circuit, golf was a massive time commitment for both Brinker and Heflin. Their day-to-day lives were filled with hours on the course, and each of them appreciated having a friend who was familiar with the same sacrifice and commitment.
"From day one, the girls developed a unique bond, sharing the love of a game most of their friends did not play," said Kim Heflin.
"The amount of extra time – traveling, missing dances, not being able to go to a birthday party – just things like that you would always miss," recalls Brinker. "But when you have people doing the same thing as you, it makes it a lot easier and more fun. Rather than 'We're missing out', it's , 'We get to do this instead'."
After years of supporting one another as competitors, today Heflin and Brinker are able to represent the same school.
"To be on the same team finally is a great feeling," said Brinker.
With the level of support the girls have consistently shown one another over the years, one could say that the two have always been on the "same team." Still, both families remember the special moment when it became official.
"Phoebe was the first person I called," said Heflin when she committed to Duke.
"For me, it was as if another daughter of mine received the offer, and I still feel that way," said Tracy Brinker.
Though playing on the same college team has brought the Brinkers and the Heflins even closer, there is no doubt that a friendship this strong would have persisted no matter where the girls ended up. That being said, it was a very fortunate turn-of-events that both loved Duke.
"Our parents are just happy that we're both happy and that we're where we want to be," said Heflin. "It worked out great that we ended up at the same school, but I know they would have been supportive regardless."
It has now been well over a decade since Brinker and Heflin met and they have both filled their years pushing and supporting each other on and off the course.
"I think having a relationship like we have makes it a lot easier," said Brinker. "When you do have that strong team dynamic and you trust everybody and know that everyone's there for you, it makes it so much easier to just go out and play and have fun, rather than worrying."
"When I see Rylie out there with Phoebe, it is with a proud smile and nothing but relief that post-high school they still have each other and will always have each other. How special is that? Who gets that in life?" said Tracy Brinker.
Though the girls have golf to thank for bringing them together, their friendship has evolved to be about so much more than the game. The Blue Devils are certainly lucky to have both Phoebe Brinker and Rylie Heflin: it is strong bonds like theirs that truly make the Duke women's golf team a family.
#GoDuke
DURHAM – There's no question that Duke women's golf is a close-knit team. The talented group of seven spend long hours supporting one another on and off the course. But for two golfers, this relationship started long before they became Blue Devils – sophomore Rylie Heflin and junior Phoebe Brinker have known each other for over a decade. From high school rivals to college teammates, the ladies have remained close friends through it all.
"It's really cool the way that sports can bring people together," said Brinker. "You push each other and you grow with each other. We started at the lower level tournaments and then we worked our way up together."
Heflin and Brinker's friendship began at a summer camp in Pennsylvania when they were young golfers. Their paths continued to cross for years as they competed in tournaments against one another, and they even shared their first swing coach. When they were representing different high schools, the golfers still felt a shared connection as two of only a few girls playing amongst a high school bracket full of boys.
"Every spring, they would compete against one another at DIAA States and every year they cheered for each other where together they dominated the field, much to the chagrin of their competitive male opponents," recalls Rylie's mother Kim Heflin.
"Delaware golf didn't know how to handle it," declares Heflin.
No matter the scale of the competition, the girls always had each other's back.
"Even in the Delaware State championships, they kept their love of the game and for each other," confirms Phoebe's mother Tracy Brinker. "Honestly, it brings a tear to my eye thinking about them on the golf course pushing each other, and after the conclusion of a match congratulating each other, regardless of the outcome."
Growing up as high-level golfers in the youth circuit, golf was a massive time commitment for both Brinker and Heflin. Their day-to-day lives were filled with hours on the course, and each of them appreciated having a friend who was familiar with the same sacrifice and commitment.
"From day one, the girls developed a unique bond, sharing the love of a game most of their friends did not play," said Kim Heflin.
"The amount of extra time – traveling, missing dances, not being able to go to a birthday party – just things like that you would always miss," recalls Brinker. "But when you have people doing the same thing as you, it makes it a lot easier and more fun. Rather than 'We're missing out', it's , 'We get to do this instead'."
After years of supporting one another as competitors, today Heflin and Brinker are able to represent the same school.
"To be on the same team finally is a great feeling," said Brinker.
With the level of support the girls have consistently shown one another over the years, one could say that the two have always been on the "same team." Still, both families remember the special moment when it became official.
"Phoebe was the first person I called," said Heflin when she committed to Duke.
"For me, it was as if another daughter of mine received the offer, and I still feel that way," said Tracy Brinker.
Though playing on the same college team has brought the Brinkers and the Heflins even closer, there is no doubt that a friendship this strong would have persisted no matter where the girls ended up. That being said, it was a very fortunate turn-of-events that both loved Duke.
"Our parents are just happy that we're both happy and that we're where we want to be," said Heflin. "It worked out great that we ended up at the same school, but I know they would have been supportive regardless."
It has now been well over a decade since Brinker and Heflin met and they have both filled their years pushing and supporting each other on and off the course.
"I think having a relationship like we have makes it a lot easier," said Brinker. "When you do have that strong team dynamic and you trust everybody and know that everyone's there for you, it makes it so much easier to just go out and play and have fun, rather than worrying."
"When I see Rylie out there with Phoebe, it is with a proud smile and nothing but relief that post-high school they still have each other and will always have each other. How special is that? Who gets that in life?" said Tracy Brinker.
Though the girls have golf to thank for bringing them together, their friendship has evolved to be about so much more than the game. The Blue Devils are certainly lucky to have both Phoebe Brinker and Rylie Heflin: it is strong bonds like theirs that truly make the Duke women's golf team a family.
#GoDuke
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