Brampton golfer Brooke Rivers hopes to elevate her game at U.S. university

Brampton-born golfer Brooke Rivers is ready to take the next step in her career by following in the great Arnold Palmer’s footsteps.

Rivers, who was born in Brampton and raised in Turks and Caicos, has declared her intention to play for Wake Forest University in North Carolina for the new school year, which happens to be Palmer’s alma mater.

The decision isn’t just based on Palmer’s legacy, as the Wake Forest Demon Deacons are the No. 2 ranked women’s golf program in the NCAA.

“I’m very excited to be going to such a top golf school, I will be around girls that are very competitive, and I’ll be able to learn from them and grow my golf game by learning from them,” said Rivers. “I will also be able to play in really high rank tournaments, which again, will expose me to play against really good competition, to better myself.”

Rivers signed on at Wake Forest on Friday (Nov. 11) along with American Macy Pate. The Canadian said the legacy of Palmer, one of the greatest golfers of all time, was just one of the reasons why she wanted to play for Wake Forest.

“Having very good alumni that come out of school, just shows how great the golf program is,” said Rivers, referring to Palmer who arrived at Wake Forest in 1948 and was the school’s first individual NCAA champion in 1949.

But Rivers also said she was also attracted to the university’s facilities and the strength of its academic curriculum.

“I’m very excited to use the (Arnold Palmer Golf Complex) practice facilities and all of the technology and different resources that they have available there, as well as the amazing (Old Town Club) golf course,” said Rivers, who intends to study business.

“Everything is very close to the dorms so I will be able to spend my time practising and balance my time management.”

Kim Lewellen, the head coach of Wake Forest’s women’s golf team, said she has kept close tabs on Rivers throughout her junior and amateur career.

“She has a nice athletic stature, hits the ball a long way, and has a good golf IQ,” said Lewellen, who noted that Rivers’s parents Tammy Glugosh and Gregg Rivers are also impressive golfers. “I think she also probably got that from her parents, so this was a total package.”

Rivers tied for 10th representing Canada at the World Amateur Women’s Team Championship in August. She also won the 2021 North and South Junior Championship, and tied for eighth at the Scott Robertson Memorial that same year. In 2020, she won the AJGA Visit Tallahassee Junior Championship and tied for second at the Ontario Women’s Amateur Championship.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 14, 2022.