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In Full Swing: Rookie Katie Li Adjusting Well at Duke
1/24/2024 1:39:00 PM | Women's Golf
By Charlotte Tannebaum, Duke Athletics Communications Student Assistant
DURHAM – Transitioning to college is a difficult task for any student, but for a student-athlete adjusting to a new team, a busy schedule and a collegiate workload, it's an especially daunting feat. Luckily, freshman Katie Li isn't one to back down from a challenge. As the women's golf team's sole freshman, Li has taken her first semester at Duke in stride and is setting herself up for a successful four years as a Blue Devil.
Li is no stranger to competition. Even before college, she trained rigorously and competed as one of the nation's best junior golfers. As a high schooler, the New Jersey native racked up a number of titles and impressive finishes competing on courses all over the country. Her stellar performances have not gone unrecognized: Li is a four-time American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) All-American, a prestigious designation she has held since 2020.
Li has spent years perfecting her technical skills on the green. But when she first arrived in Durham, she realized she needed to modify her mindset to keep her game up to par.
"A lot of parts of my game didn't feel right," Li said. "I was adjusting to school and had a lot of things coming at me. It was a rough time at first for my golf game and I wasn't expecting it."
After competing at a high level for so long, Li hadn't anticipated that the college transition would impact her playing. But the freshman didn't get discouraged and quickly came to understand that transition periods mark integral chapters in any athlete's story. Li kept working hard until she felt her game click back into place.
"After I realized, 'this is totally fine, this is normal,' I started getting back into the groove of things," Li said.
Ultimately, this marked a period of growth for Li on and off the course.
"As the season progressed, I became a more confident person and a mentally stronger person," says Li.
Her teammates and coaches played a big role in the adjustment process. The tight-knit team environment has functioned as a source of motivation and support for Li throughout her freshman season.
"When I go out to play, it's not like I play for myself anymore," Li said. "Whatever I do represents the school. It's added pressure, but because I'm on a team, I have four to five other girls supporting me whatever I do. If I have a bad day, they're there to have my back."
For Li, playing as a Blue Devil means that she is never alone when she competes.
"It's more fulfilling," said Li. "If we win, we win together. And if we lose, we're all there to support each other."
In addition to her teammates, Li's coaches have also helped her acclimate to college. By supporting her development as a player and as a person, they've eased her transition and prepared her well for the challenges of playing at the next level.
"The coaches have been really helpful in adjusting my mindset," saidLi. "Overall, it's made me happier on the course, and I've found a way to apply it to my regular life. I've just been a happier person overall because of the psychology that they've been teaching me."
Shifting her mindset has truly been an invaluable change for Li. Propelled forward by the positive momentum of her fall semester, she is entering the spring season feeling confident and ready to dominate.
"Katie possesses plenty of talent and loads of energy," said Duke associate head coach Jon Whithaus. "Throughout Katie's first semester, she has done an excellent job of striving to focus her mind and energy solely on the task at hand. She continues to improve at her ability to stay in the present regardless of environment."
Her work off the course is showing on the course as she closed the fall at the Landfall Tradition with a collegiate-best finish with a 2-under-par, 214, and her first top-20 finish as a Blue Devil. In six out of her final nine rounds of the fall, she shot even or under par. Her finish helped propel Duke to a team win as well in Wilmington, the first of the 2023-24 campaign. Â
"The biggest improvement in myself is how I've improved my mentality on outcomes," said Li. "Recently I've just been trying to stay focused on the process. I make sure every single day I'm putting in the effort that I need to. I'm practicing with purpose, and at tournaments, it'll reflect that."
By working hard on her technical and mental game, Li is positioning herself for success. A highly motivated golfer, the freshman has ambitious goals for herself and is working diligently to make them a reality.
"I'm hoping to win an individual title in the near future," Li said. "Throughout my time at Duke, I'm hoping to become one of the top - if not the top - amateur golfers in the country."
Katie Li doesn't just have big dreams: she also has the positive mindset, undeniable talent, and unwavering determination needed to achieve them. Though her time at Duke has only just begun, she has already demonstrated tremendous growth as a player and individual. As she continues to forge her path as a Blue Devil, there's no doubt that it will be an extraordinary journey to watch.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils women's golf, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeWGOLF". Â
Duke Centennial
In 2024, Duke celebrates its Centennial, marking one hundred years since Trinity College became Duke University. Duke will use this historic milestone to deepen the understanding of its history, inspire pride and strengthen bonds and partnerships, and prepare for a second century of continued excellence and impactful leadership. To learn more, please visit 100.duke.edu
#GoDuke
Â
DURHAM – Transitioning to college is a difficult task for any student, but for a student-athlete adjusting to a new team, a busy schedule and a collegiate workload, it's an especially daunting feat. Luckily, freshman Katie Li isn't one to back down from a challenge. As the women's golf team's sole freshman, Li has taken her first semester at Duke in stride and is setting herself up for a successful four years as a Blue Devil.
Li is no stranger to competition. Even before college, she trained rigorously and competed as one of the nation's best junior golfers. As a high schooler, the New Jersey native racked up a number of titles and impressive finishes competing on courses all over the country. Her stellar performances have not gone unrecognized: Li is a four-time American Junior Golf Association (AJGA) All-American, a prestigious designation she has held since 2020.
Li has spent years perfecting her technical skills on the green. But when she first arrived in Durham, she realized she needed to modify her mindset to keep her game up to par.
"A lot of parts of my game didn't feel right," Li said. "I was adjusting to school and had a lot of things coming at me. It was a rough time at first for my golf game and I wasn't expecting it."
After competing at a high level for so long, Li hadn't anticipated that the college transition would impact her playing. But the freshman didn't get discouraged and quickly came to understand that transition periods mark integral chapters in any athlete's story. Li kept working hard until she felt her game click back into place.
"After I realized, 'this is totally fine, this is normal,' I started getting back into the groove of things," Li said.
Ultimately, this marked a period of growth for Li on and off the course.
"As the season progressed, I became a more confident person and a mentally stronger person," says Li.
Her teammates and coaches played a big role in the adjustment process. The tight-knit team environment has functioned as a source of motivation and support for Li throughout her freshman season.
"When I go out to play, it's not like I play for myself anymore," Li said. "Whatever I do represents the school. It's added pressure, but because I'm on a team, I have four to five other girls supporting me whatever I do. If I have a bad day, they're there to have my back."
For Li, playing as a Blue Devil means that she is never alone when she competes.
"It's more fulfilling," said Li. "If we win, we win together. And if we lose, we're all there to support each other."
In addition to her teammates, Li's coaches have also helped her acclimate to college. By supporting her development as a player and as a person, they've eased her transition and prepared her well for the challenges of playing at the next level.
"The coaches have been really helpful in adjusting my mindset," saidLi. "Overall, it's made me happier on the course, and I've found a way to apply it to my regular life. I've just been a happier person overall because of the psychology that they've been teaching me."
Shifting her mindset has truly been an invaluable change for Li. Propelled forward by the positive momentum of her fall semester, she is entering the spring season feeling confident and ready to dominate.
"Katie possesses plenty of talent and loads of energy," said Duke associate head coach Jon Whithaus. "Throughout Katie's first semester, she has done an excellent job of striving to focus her mind and energy solely on the task at hand. She continues to improve at her ability to stay in the present regardless of environment."
Her work off the course is showing on the course as she closed the fall at the Landfall Tradition with a collegiate-best finish with a 2-under-par, 214, and her first top-20 finish as a Blue Devil. In six out of her final nine rounds of the fall, she shot even or under par. Her finish helped propel Duke to a team win as well in Wilmington, the first of the 2023-24 campaign. Â
"The biggest improvement in myself is how I've improved my mentality on outcomes," said Li. "Recently I've just been trying to stay focused on the process. I make sure every single day I'm putting in the effort that I need to. I'm practicing with purpose, and at tournaments, it'll reflect that."
By working hard on her technical and mental game, Li is positioning herself for success. A highly motivated golfer, the freshman has ambitious goals for herself and is working diligently to make them a reality.
"I'm hoping to win an individual title in the near future," Li said. "Throughout my time at Duke, I'm hoping to become one of the top - if not the top - amateur golfers in the country."
Katie Li doesn't just have big dreams: she also has the positive mindset, undeniable talent, and unwavering determination needed to achieve them. Though her time at Duke has only just begun, she has already demonstrated tremendous growth as a player and individual. As she continues to forge her path as a Blue Devil, there's no doubt that it will be an extraordinary journey to watch.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils women's golf, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook by searching "DukeWGOLF". Â
Duke Centennial
In 2024, Duke celebrates its Centennial, marking one hundred years since Trinity College became Duke University. Duke will use this historic milestone to deepen the understanding of its history, inspire pride and strengthen bonds and partnerships, and prepare for a second century of continued excellence and impactful leadership. To learn more, please visit 100.duke.edu
#GoDuke
Â
Players Mentioned
PLAYER
/ Women's GolfAndie Smith, Duke | Interview | CGN
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