BOND HILL, Ohio − As Emma McMyler walked Maketewah Country Club during a pro-am on Wednesday, May 13, memories kept surfacing.
On one hole, she remembered rounds during an illustrious career for Xavier women’s golf. On No. 8, a 400-yard, par-4, she recalled winter days sledding down the hill while snow covered the prestigious course.
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Now, the former Xavier star is back at her former home course for the LPGA’s Kroger Queen City Championship presented by P&G. This time, McMyler is no longer the college athlete trying to climb the ranks. She returns to Maketewah as an LPGA Tour rookie and will be alongside a familiar face.
McMyler was paired with current Xavier senior and former teammate Madison Reemsnyder in the opening round of the tournament on Thursday.
“It’s going to be a fun two rounds,” McMyler said in her pre-tournament press conference. “I know it’s going to be her (Reemsnyder’s) first LPGA Tour event, so hopefully ease her nerves a little bit. (I’m) super good friends with Maddie, so excited to get to tee it up with her.”
Reemsnyder, the Big East Golfer of the Year, spent the first part of this week playing for Xavier in the NCAA Regionals in Louisville.
Former Xavier Musketeer Emma McMyler is an LPGA Tour rookie this season.
Reemsnyder tied for 40th at 6-over for the tournament and Xavier finished ninth overall. She ended her collegiate career No. 2 all-time in school history in career scoring.
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On Thursday morning, the former teammates walked Maketewah once again in the 9:16 a.m. tee time along with Thailand’s Suvichaya Vinijchaitham in a full-circle moment with added grandstands, television towers and surrounding LPGA galleries. McMyler finished the opening round at even par, while her former teammate finished at 8 over.
“It’s kind of a cool feel where I get to come back to a course that I’m familiar with,” McMyler said. “It’s awesome to be back in Cincinnati, and I’m excited to feel the hometown crowd in a way.”
McMyler, like Cincinnati native (Kings High School) Alexandra Swayne, knows Maketewah better than most players in the field. During her decorated collegiate career, she became one of the Big East’s most accomplished players, winning the league’s Golfer of the Year award three consecutive seasons (2021-2023). She also captured individual medalist honors in 2021.
That familiarity could become an advantage this week on a new stop on the LPGA Tour that has been called challenging by the likes of the game’s top players this week.
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“I’ve walked this course many times,” McMyler said. “I know coming in it was going to be a hilly walk and you have to prepare yourself mentally for that. I think it’s advantageous to know the ins and outs of that course, but you still have to go out there and execute the shots you’re trying to hit.”
Xavier senior Madison Reemsnyder will make her LPGA debut at the Kroger Queen City Championship presented by P&G at Maketewah Country Club.
Sustaining her execution and comfort level is what McMyler is aiming for as she manages the ups and downs of being a rookie on the tour. She earned her spot in the winter and has made three cuts in her first five events as a rookie.
“You have this big dream of playing out here on the LPGA Tour, and when you get out here you’re like, ‘OK, now I need to perform,” she said.
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Being back at Maketewah makes some of the pressure feel lighter.
“In a way, yes,” McMyler said when asked if his was the most comfortable she has felt just before a tournament a few months into her rookie season. “Knowing the course kind of eases that comfortability a little bit, so I’m coming into this event feeling confident and comfortable.”
Adding to that is the shared experience with a former teammate and friend making her own leap onto the professional stage. Before the week began, McMyler offered Reemsnyder some advice from a pro.
“Just knowing that she’s good enough to play out here and just trust her game,” McMyler said. “Just enjoy the moment.”
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Former Xavier teammates reunite at LPGA Queen City Championship
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