Michigan Golf Journal July 2021

3 July 2021 www.michigangolfjournal.com “We had a lot of fun at Concession. And she also plays softball, so I feel like it’s little bit of a similar action. She’s very athletic. “I think you kind of realize… Oh, man, this is so cool we get to do this (golf) for the rest of our lives. That smile she has when she steps on the golf course kind of makes you appreciate (the sport) a little bit more.” Sister Jessica Korda had similar observations about spending time with Howard. “We see the joy in it and it kind of reminds you why you started doing what you do -- this is the reason why I love playing golf,” she said before the Meijer tournament. “We were her, you know, when we were little. Just seeing the love for the game, love for being out here and just seeing like these bright eyes and taking everything in. The longer you’re out here (on Tour) you kind of forget how cool it is. To see it from somebody else’s perspective is really special.” Howard is going into the 9 th grade at Hudsonville High School in August and plans to try out for the girls’ golf team. She grips the club with her left hand and videos show she keeps her lower right arm in contact with the club the entire swing to add some stability. She’s learned that a closed club face works best for her getting out of bunkers. Since the trio first meet at Concession, they have maintained a group chat by cell phone. “It’s more surreal to me knowing that my idols take time out of their day to come chat with me,” Howard said. “So, I think that’s very eye opening to me, saying that my idols are willing to take time out of their busy day and come and have a conversation, whether in person or on the phone. That’s very surreal to me.” When a reporter mentioned that she is the inspiration to many others, Howard responded: “I think my physical challenge doesn’t have anything to do with it. I may look different, but I think I’m just another average person. I go out and do the game of golf how everybody else does and I don’t let that stop me. Just go out and kill it. “I think it takes a little push to get yourself out there right away, but I think once you do, you’ll find out that like it’s not a huge deal. You’re just like everybody else…Us people who have a different physical appearance will realize that it doesn’t matter we look this way or we play differently.” MGJ Note: Photos courtesy of Emby Taylor Photography. Sophia Howard and Kordas in trap