Natalie Srinivasan was a great golfer because of her ability to think. She was able to block out everything, so much that Furman’s coach Jeff Hull asked her, “Are You Alive?” Can I check your pulse?”
Srinivasan – a former College Golf Player of the Year – had a gut test about her future on the Epson Tour last year in French Lick.
She said that when she started to lose her mind control, “that was when I knew I could not do this.” “The passion wasn’t here.”
Srinivasan completed the 2022 Epson Tour season in October, and in November began studying for the Medical College Admission Test. She hasn’t yet taken her clubs out of their travel case but was accepted to the Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine where she will begin school in the fall.
Srinivasan is not only following in the footsteps of her father but also of August Kim and Janet Mao, two former Epson Tour athletes who have already entered medical school.
“I believe the three of us have always had a special relationship,” said Srinivasan.
The pipeline is continuing with Dylan Kim, a former Baylor and Arkansas standout who is now studying for the MCAT. Jaclyn, a recent Ohio State graduate and LPGA star, is also in the process to switch from LPGA to medical school.
Kim, who was a Big Ten Conference champion and played for Purdue University, is already the president of her class in Vanderbilt School of Medicine. The 28-year old wants to pursue orthopedic surgery in order to work with athletes. Kim’s sister Auston recently graduated from the Epson Tour, earning an LPGA card. They spent five months as touring professionals before August decided to pursue medicine, her long-term dream.
Mao, who is a neuroscience major and won the NCAA Regionals in 2016 at Northwestern University, quit golfing competitively in 2021 to begin her 18-month journey into medical school. Mao, a neuroscience major at Northwestern, won NCAA regionals in 2016 and quit playing golf competitively to begin the 18-month process of getting into medical school. Northwestern graduates, on average, submit 25 applications. Mao, who wrote essays for over two months, landed in the same place.
Mao, whose father is a researcher scientist at Emory University, was accepted last fall. She began a week-long intensive shadowing program, “Week on the Wards,” mid-July. Mao doesn’t know what type of medicine she would like to specialize in but she plans to earn an M.D. in 2028. Mao also holds a master’s in public health.
Mao says that 90 percent of her 141 classmates are non-traditional or alternative students. These people, like Mao, have done other things after completing their undergrad. Mao wants young golfers who want to study medicine to see that they can keep their dream alive and still do science while playing Division 1 college golf.
Mao told his followers: “Don’t be afraid of it.”
Janet Mao and her family pose at Emory University’s White Coat Ceremony. (courtesy photo)
When they were recruited for college golf, all three elite players had med schools in mind. Kim was sure she had found the right fit at Purdue when she saw a copper bust of the Nobel Prize-winning chemistry winner.
Kim, a biochemist who has studied for many years, said that the mix was perfect.
Mao studied premed at Northwestern and became interested in playing golf professionally during college. Her father encouraged her interest in science as a young child by asking questions such as “Why do you believe the leaves change colors?” and taking her to work.
Mao’s early interest in medicine was expressed by her saying, “He would put me in the MRI scan.”
Mao took advantage of Next Play Coaching while she was competing in the Epson Tour. The 1-hour sessions were intended to help players assess their values and goals, and relieve anxiety about the future.
Mao discovered a greater passion for golf in college, than in juniors. She decided to give professional golf a shot. Mao enjoyed some aspects of the tour, but she realized she was under pressure to perform for herself and others.
She said, “I didn’t play to be the best in the World one day.” “I was not driven the way other women are on tour.”
Ajai Srinivasan, Srinivasan’s father, graduated from MUSC back in 1996. Natalie is happy to follow his example. Ajai is a Spartanburg general surgeon who played tennis at a high level in India. He moved to the U.S. in 1996 for college.
Juli Inkster, Taylor Totland, Natalie Srinivasan and Pat Hurst during the Inkster Senior Award retreat. (Photo: Natalie Srinivasan)
Natalie was the girl in seventh grade who loved dissecting frogs, while most of her friends thought it was disgusting. Srinivasan, like Mao, decided to pursue professional golf only after college. Her senior year was cut short due to the COVID-19 epidemic, but she won the 2020 ANNIKA Award and PING WGCA Player of the Year, as well as the Juli Inkster Award for Seniors, which includes a two-day retreat at the Hall of Famer’s home.
“Juli took me in like one her own,” Srinivasan said of the down to earth legend who helped her with caddies and courses, as well as her transition from golf into life after.
She just wanted to make me happy.
Srinivasan took some time to admit that she no longer wanted to play golf. Srinivasan didn’t like the solitary lifestyle of professional golf. It requires that athletes put themselves first in order to be successful. She missed playing with her Furman teammates, and she missed the idea of being part of something bigger than yourself.
She said, “I don’t know why I am here.”
Take it as found.
