CW Feature: Emily Cornwall

Oct. 7, 2024 - As a fourth-year student-athlete and member of the UBC Okanagan Heat women’s golf team, Emily Cornwall has been a key part of a program on the rise.

The Heat are coming off their strongest season yet and have earned a reputation for being one of the most competitive teams in the nation.

They captured silver at last year’s Canada West Championships and added another silver at the Canadian University/College Championship.

Now, the focus is on turning silver into gold.

The journey towards realizing that goal begins this week, as Cornwall and her teammates are ready to welcome the conference’s top golfers to the Okanagan Golf Club for the 2024 Canada West Golf Championships this Monday and Tuesday.

A late bloomer

Cornwall describes her journey towards playing post-secondary golf as a “strange one.”

The definition of a late bloomer, she didn’t pick up a club until she was 14 years old.

“I played every other sport growing up. I grew up with two older brothers, and that's the way you tag along. You're the little sister. You just do what they're doing to be cool and be in it with them.”

From soccer to volleyball, basketball to ringette, Cornwall played just about every sport growing up, but none seemed to spark a true passion.

Her dad encouraged her to try golf—a suggestion that would change her life.

“I finished off ringette, and I was like, ‘Dad, I don't want to play this anymore. It's not really my thing.’ He suggested I try golf since it was the last sport I hadn’t tried. I played one year with him hanging out, then he said, ‘What about tournaments?’ I was like, sure, let's try it. It’s been that way ever since.”

As a latecomer to the sport, she had to play catch-up with her peers. While most of her competitors had been playing golf for years, she was still learning the ropes.

But that didn’t discourage her.

In fact, it only fueled her competitive drive.

Once she realized playing golf in university was a legitimate pathway, she connected with UBCO head coach Clay Stothers.

“I started putting my name out there, asking different schools if they wanted to recruit me. I told them I'm probably not the most developed golfer, but I'll get there,” laughs Cornwall. “Clay reached out to me and asked if I ever thought about coming to school in the Okanagan.”

The rest was history.

“Being recruited on this team has been a dream. I've won three university tournaments and traveled all over the world. It's been a whirlwind, but I'm grateful for where I'm at in my life. I can't thank everybody who's gotten me here and my support system enough.”

The sky continues to be the limit as Cornwall shows improvement every year. She won the Calgary Ladies Amateur this summer, besting a field of 120 competitors.

While she’s focused on helping the Heat win a conference championship, her ultimate goal is to turn professional after graduation. She is currently studying digital design and is also interested in pursuing a career in graphic design and marketing.

A natural leader

Golf is often seen as an individual sport, but at the varsity level, the team aspect plays a crucial role.

While each golfer focuses on their own game, they also compete as part of a team, playing for one another.

Balancing these individual and team dynamics can be challenging, yet it’s what makes varsity golf a unique and rewarding experience.

Cornwall’s late start in golf has given her a unique perspective, allowing her to empathize with her teammates' challenges while continuously striving to improve her own game. As a veteran, Emily feels a responsibility to foster a supportive environment and be a good role model for her younger teammates.

“As you get into your fourth year, you know the ropes. I try to be somebody that the girls can look up to in terms of how we treat each other on this team,” says Cornwall. ‘I can't stress how important it is to build each other up. Our team vibe has been so good and that is conducive to a good playing environment.”

While individual performances are important, she always emphasizes the importance of being there for each other and fostering a team spirit.

“I think we all want to win individually out there, and that drives our team. It's an individual sport, and it can become really taxing and sometimes hard on you. To have each other as our support system and to see each other succeed is our top priority."

"Winning and everything that comes after is just the icing on the cake.”

Chasing Gold at CW Championships

The Heat are excited to have home course advantage at the 2024 Canada West Championships, and Cornwall is looking forward to the challenge the Okanagan Golf Club offers.

“It’s an extremely beautiful course. Every time I'm out there, I'm like, holy crap, I can't believe I get to play this all the time,” says Cornwall. “I won't lie, the course is challenging. You have to keep it in play and put yourself in a good position for your second shot.”

Her advice for competitors?

“Staying positive and patient is probably the biggest tip I could give anybody. It's a long course. There's a lot of hazards. It'll beat you up if you let it. You just have to stay positive and patient.”

The field contains competitors from nine different schools, including the four-time defending champion UBC Thunderbirds.

In fact, the Thunderbirds have won every edition of the event since it was first held in 2019.

Dethroning the T-Birds won’t be easy, but Cornwall and her teammates are determined to give it their best shot.

“The Thunderbirds have been big in competition and beating them has always been something that our program strives to do, because they are one of the top competitors in the country,” says Cornwall. “With that goal in mind, the girls are extremely oriented towards that.”

“We all know that we can do it, it's just a matter of putting it together.”