Lincoln Memorial University women's golfer Joy Aspetaki had the opportunity to compete on one of the biggest stages in women's golf after receiving an amateur exemption into the Smoky Mountain Championship, an Epson Tour event held Aug. 6-8 at Green Meadow Country Club in Alcoa, Tennessee.
As the official qualifying tour of the LPGA Tour, the Epson Tour serves as the primary pathway to the highest level of professional women's golf. Aspetaki's exemption allowed the LMU standout to test her game against professional competition while representing the Railsplitters on a national stage.
Throughout the tournament, LMU women's golf head coach Brad Robinson served as her caddie.
For Aspetaki, the experience provided an opportunity to measure her game against elite competition while gaining insight into a potential professional future.
"Playing in this tournament was a great learning experience and test for me," Aspetaki said. "I got to see if it's an environment I could see myself in in the future. It was a pleasure to represent LMU in such a strong field. I got to meet new people and challenge myself."
Aspetaki said she left the week appreciative of the opportunity and the support she received along the way.
"I feel extremely grateful for the opportunity and support from everyone around me," Aspetaki said. "I would like to thank the people that made this happen. It was an unforgettable week."
The appearance marked another milestone for the Greece native, who has continued to develop into one of the top players in the South Atlantic Conference during her time at LMU. Robinson said the opportunity highlighted both Aspetaki's growth and the potential for LMU student-athletes to compete at the highest levels of their sport.
"The opportunity for Joy to compete in an Epson Tour event is an incredible opportunity, not only for her, but for Lincoln Memorial University and our golf program," Robinson said. "As a Division II student-athlete, to have the opportunity to compete at that level provides tremendous exposure for our university and shows what is possible for our student-athletes.”
Robinson said Aspetaki's progress since arriving at LMU has positioned her for future success.
"The progress Joy has made in just two years here at LMU has been incredible," Robinson said. "She has developed tremendously as a golfer, and if she can continue on the same trajectory, the sky is truly the limit for her."
While Robinson praised Aspetaki's performance on the course, he said her character and representation of LMU throughout the event stood out the most.
"While she is an outstanding golfer, what I am most proud of is the character she demonstrates, the way she carries herself, and the way she represented us all at Lincoln Memorial University," Robinson said. "She represented herself, her teammates, her family, and our university with tremendous pride, and that is something that will always mean more than any score or result."
For LMU women's golf, Aspetaki's participation in the Smoky Mountain Championship showcased the opportunities available to student-athletes while placing the program on one of the most prominent developmental stages in professional women's golf.
See more photos of Aspetaki and Robinson on the golf course: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjD2g5B
Lincoln Memorial University is a values-based learning community dedicated to providing educational experiences in liberal arts and professional studies. The main campus is in Harrogate, Tennessee, with additional locations across Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia and Florida, serving thousands of students. For more information about the undergraduate and graduate programs available at LMU, contact the Office of Admissions at 423-869-6280 or email at admissions@LMUnet.edu.
