(June 27, 2024) – This week Laniah Moffett competed in the First Tee National Championship. Shortly before heading to Clemson University, the site of the championship, we got a chance to catch up with Moffett.
During our conversation with the 2022 Borck Junior Girls’ champion among other topics we talked about the First Tee National Championship and her commitment to Howard University to continue her golf career. Recently, Moffett concluded her successful high school golf career at Crosby High School in Waterbury.
CSGA: This year you are going to play in the First Tee National Championship for the first time. How did the opportunity come about?
Laniah Moffett: Every year I’ve signed up for some national events that are through the First Tee. Connecticut First Tee executive director Mark Moriarty has me fill out a couple of applications. So this year I filled out the application for some events including the national championship. Players are selected based on their handicap and an essay and I was fortunate enough to be chosen as one of the 24 girls to play in the event.
CSGA: What are you looking forward to most about getting to play in the First Tee National Championship?
LM: I’m definitely looking forward to the golf. I’ve never played in a 54-hole stroke play event before so it’s definitely going to be something new and something different for me but it is exciting to play against people from across the nation.
I’ve met a couple of the girls already through First Tee and other national opportunities but being able to see them again and make new friends is also something that I’m looking forward to.
CSGA: How long have you been involved in the First Tee and what’s your involvement been like?
LM: I’ve been involved since I was five years old so I’ve been involved for 12 years. My parents got me involved really early on to just try golf and it has been the reason why I stuck with golf.
Right now I volunteer as an assistant coach at a local golf course with First Tee and then I also help out at any event that they need me to whether it’s a charity event or sometimes the golf show when they come down to Hartford.
CSGA: The First Tee has had a big impact on your golfing life. Is it an organization that you hope to stay involved with as your golf career progresses and just really your professional career as a whole whether it’s in golf or something else?
LM: Yes of course. I’m really excited to give back to the program because it’s done so much for me and given me so many opportunities. It’s definitely a great program that a lot of kids should be or can be involved with. In the future, I hope to give back. I hope to maybe work at the First Tee or donate or whatever it may be to help introduce the game of golf to younger kids.
CSGA: Switching gears a little bit you’re committed to Howard beginning this fall. What went into your decision? What’s your excitement level? What are you looking forward to most?
LM: My excitement level is 10 out of 10. I’m so excited. Howard was one of my top choices initially and it was really hard to get in contact with the coach but I just kept trying and trying and trying and eventually in October of 2023 he asked if I wanted to come down for a visit. They had been one of my top choices for a really long time so when they asked I was super excited and thrilled.
The Howard golf team is really really good and I can’t wait to contribute. I wanted to be able to play college golf at the highest level possible so to get a chance to play Division I is really exciting.
CSGA: Besides competing in the First Tee National Championship what does your summer schedule look like?
LM: I’m playing in the Hartford Women’s Open and the 3rd Connecticut Girls’ Junior. I am also going to try and qualify for the U.S. Junior Girls’ Championship and then I will play in the Connecticut Women’s Amateur.
CSGA: Last one before we let you go. How are you going to prepare for your first college season?
LM: Mostly it’s just mental. All of the work that I’ve been putting in throughout the years is pretty much going to be the same just with more intent and more focus.
I’m aiming for more consistency this year and just being able to minimize as many mistakes as I can on the golf course. But going to Howard and going to college is definitely going to be a different world so being able to wake up early and work out and then go to class and then practice it’s all going to be very different for me. So having a strong mentality and working on the mental part of my game is going to be super important.
About the Connecticut State Golf Association
The Connecticut State Golf Association functions as an extension of the USGA and provides stewardship for amateur golf in Connecticut. Founded in 1899, it is the country’s oldest state golf association and conducts over 60 Championships, Qualifiers, and One Day Tournaments throughout the year.
