Victoria Hofmann began her journey as a Friends University women's golf student-athlete in 2023 and was recruited by the late head coach Paul Howe. Despite having offers from 30 schools, she felt a strong connection with Howe and chose Friends.
Hofmann's journey at Friends has been both challenging and rewarding, especially in the wake of Coach Howe's sudden passing last year. She described the loss as tough to cope with, but the team found solace in hosting a memorial tournament in his honor. Hofmann continues to draw inspiration from her late coach, especially before tournaments, and believes he remains a supportive presence in spirit.
"It was hard," she said. "It was very sudden, and it took us all a while to get back on track, but we did it. We had a memorial tournament for him, which kind of sums it up. I often remember him, especially before I play a tournament. I think of him, and I feel like that's how my teammates feel about it. Overall, I think we're doing pretty well with it. Sometimes it's hard when the tournament is going rough, because he was always a good person to talk to. He was really understanding, and he was very good for the mental game. But we know he's there. He's still a supporter."
The key to consistency
Despite the emotional challenges, Hofmann has consistently performed well on the golf course. She attributes her success to maintaining consistent emotions, not getting overly excited or discouraged during tournaments. She emphasizes the importance of finding a personal rhythm and not allowing a bad hole to derail her game.
"For me, the key to playing consistent is keeping your emotions consistent and steady," she said. "Not being too positive or negative about it. You have to find your own line and rhythm that you go with. The key to being consistent is not getting thrown off by a bad hole, for example, because there's still a lot left to make up for, even though right now it looks bad."
The best experiences
Reflecting on her favorite moments as a Falcon, Hofmann fondly remembers the Coach Howe Memorial Tournament and the growth she has experienced as a golfer. She believes her time at Friends has allowed her to play the best golf of her career, and she appreciates the opportunities for personal and athletic development.
"I placed well at a lot of tournaments, but maybe the most valuable place was at our Coach Howe Memorial Tournament," she said. "But other than that, the biggest takeaway in general is definitely the growth I've had, finding my own rhythm on how to play consistently. I think this is the best I've played so far since I came here."
A lasting impact
Coach Howe, along with GA Assistant Coach Paige Barnes and Head Coach Scott Moshier, have had a significant impact on Hofmann's life, both on and off the golf course. She credits them for helping her navigate the challenges of losing a beloved coach and for their dedication to the team's success.
"First of all, I would definitely say Coach Howe," she said. "He was such an amazing person, and he was just so, so important to our team. But right now, I would definitely say Paige, because she's been helping me through this phase when Coach Howe passed away. I've known her for so long, but also Coach Moshier. I can see the effort he puts into the team and how he tries to make the best of each tournament. I feel like those are two people right now that really helped me not just on the golf course, but also on a personal basis. They're really just amazing people."
Hofmann's advice to future golfers at Friends is to enjoy their time, not dwell on difficult moments, and remember that things can always turn around. She encourages them to embrace the game and find joy in the experience.
"First of all, enjoy the time, because it goes by really fast," she said. "But something I noticed is don't ever get too down over something. It seems rough, and it seems really nerve-wracking, because golf is a sport that takes a lot of time. Sometimes you're on the course for six hours, but things can always turn for the good, always. As well as they can also turn for the bad. Sometimes there are just bad days, and there's nothing you can really do about it. So just enjoy the game. That's how you play your best."
Hofmann's journey at Friends University has been marked by personal growth, resilience, and a deep connection to her coaches and teammates. She continues to honor Coach Howe's memory by playing her best golf and embracing the lessons he taught her.
