Sault golfer heading to school

The pressure has been lifted for Sault Ste. Marie’s Zaafina Naqvi.

The local golfer signed a National Letter of Intent to play golf at Oakland University (Division 1) in Rochester, Mich. She made the signing official on Wednesday night in front of family and friends.

“It was definitely a lot of pressure. When I verbally committed all the pressure was off. There were a lot of headaches,” Naqvi said. “It’s a smoother ride from now on.”

“It’s a big relief,” Naqvi added.

Naqvi had choices when making her decision on where to continue her golfing career at the post-secondary level.

“I chose Oakland for the facilities, the coaching staff, the golf course and just the overall look of it,” Naqvi said of the choice. “I really liked the campus.”

“It’s five hours away so it’s just far enough away but not too far that I can’t come home (for holidays),” Naqvi also said.

Oakland University, home to 20,000 students, is a member of the Horizon League. The league includes eight mens sports and nine womens sports and the eight other schools that form the league along with Oakland Univeristy include Cleveland State University, the University of Detroit Mercy, University of Illinois (Chicago), Valpraiso University, University of Wisconsin (Green Bay), University of Wisconsin (Milwaukee), Wright State University and Youngstown State University.

Golf tournaments include travel throughout the United States. Some of the early-season tournaments include stops in various parts of Michigan and Indiana while the latter part of the season includes tournaments in Arizona, Nevada and Florida prior to the NCAA regional tournament in the spring.

The 17-year-old plans to major in something business-related but hasn’t selected her major yet.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to do what I love through my college years and I’m excited to represent Sault Ste. Marie,” Naqvi said of the opportunity. “I know it’s not going to be the easiest thing balancing school and golf but I’m excited for it.”

“This is definitely one of the biggest turning points in my life,” Naqvi said. “I’m thankful for all of the people who supported me over the past eight years.”

Wednesday was the first day student-athletes can officially sign during the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) early signing period, which ends on Nov. 19. The seven-day signing period includes athletes in all sports but football, soccer and water polo. A second signing period begins on Apr. 15.