Dear Princeton: Alison Chang
4/9/2020
Dear Princeton...
I still remember the first time I stepped foot on campus during my official visit. It was in the aftermath of the 2015 polar vortex storm, so all of your beautiful, gothic buildings -- now familiar to us all as home -- were snow-capped and ever so majestic (and even a little bit intimidating). Walking around the East Pyne and Firestone courtyard, I felt as if I could be transported back in time to the pages of my childhood fairytales and dreams, where such ivy-covered walls and stained-glass windows had only existed before. It was during this visit that I met Tenley Shield ‘18, who as a freshman hosted me in her room, and four years later, would lead our team to an exhilarating, history-making playoff win at the 2018 Ivy League Championships. Standing among crowds of Princeton supporters by the 9th green, I will never forget the palpable, electrifying, and quiet confidence that coursed through our team, energized by our momentum from the 18th. In my eyes, this will remain as one of Princeton’s greatest sports moments ever.
While the magic has not left and I have certainly appreciated the beauty of winter here, I have come to realize that spring is my favorite season at Princeton. In the spring, pink magnolia flowers blossom and color our campus with a vibrancy and warmth that reinvigorates us all. Springdale Golf Club is at its most stunning then, too. Its 15th fairway is lined with these gorgeous pink flowers that only blossom for a few weeks – and luckily, we’re out there practicing enough to witness it all. Even more importantly, spring is my favorite because it is our championship season. We trust that our hard work indoors during the off-season, our sweaty pain during early mornings in the gym, and the endless grind will come to fruition that third week of April. And when the challenges at times feel insurmountable, we lean on each other and pedal down, becoming better golfers, better friends, and better people because of it.
As President Eisgruber wrote, it has become clearer than ever that we must embody the university’s spirit of persisting “in the nation’s service and the service of humanity.” In light of this global pandemic, we are rightfully taking these preventative steps for the greater well-being of others. I extend my well wishes to our administrators, who must also feel the immense stress and heartbreak that we do, too.
In these hectic, heartbreaking times when nothing feels guaranteed, one thing is certain. I feel so deeply grateful for the shared camaraderie, unity, and compassion among my peers, my team, my coach, the faculty, the athletic training staff, and the entire Princeton community.
Thank you to the Princeton alumni and Friends of Princeton Golf who have enabled experiences many of us could have only dreamed of having. Because of you, we have had the ability to play incredible golf in breathtaking places, to form irreplaceable friendships along the way, and to be reminded of why we are so lucky to represent Princeton Golf.
Thank you to our athletic director, training staff, and academic fellows, who have exemplified what it means to wholeheartedly support a team by pushing us to greater heights, being there for us if we ever fall, and celebrating us regardless.
Thank you to the parents who have supported our dreams, flown out to tournaments, walked the painful 36 holes alongside your sons and daughters, and uplifted us no matter what. You are oureverything!
Thank you from the bottom of my heart to both Coach Green and Coach DeSanty, both of whom care for us deeply not just as golfers, but as people. Coach Green, you are so steady and unwavering in your dedication to both programs. On the day of our 2018 Ivy League Championship win, I will never forget as you sat in the parking lot awaiting our arrival, proudly high-fiving each of us. Coach DeSanty, thank you for taking a chance on me and Anabelle, allowing me the experience of a lifetime to complete my athletics career with my sister. In times when I and others have failed to believe in ourselves, you have had all the confidence, optimism, and positivity in the world to look us squarely in the eye and reassure us of our talent and potential. Your competitive drive and your care are so unmatched anywhere across the league -- how lucky are we to have your mentorship.
And to my team, thank you for easily being the best and most formative part of my Princeton experience. Written in our accomplishments are so many memories of laughter, joy, inside jokes, fun match-play competitions, reflective conversations, and more. We came together as teammates by chance, leaving as friends by choice. Each day, you bring so much heart, grit, and compassion to the game, and have enriched my life because of it.
Luckily, as both Mollie and our coaches have reminded us, we didn’t just make a four-year commitment when we came to Princeton but a much, much longer one. It is this same connection and love for Princeton that have continued to bridge our alumni to the program. In future years, I know that we will reunite as often as we can during Reunions and will give back to the program so that future golfers, too, can have the experience of their dreams.
Princeton, I’m not ready to let you go. So much unfinished business remains. But we will do what we have always done, which is to lean on each other and trust our preparation. The program is in such great hands. With two Ivy titles in reach next spring, I can’t wait to witness what Princeton Golf does next.
With so much love and gratitude,
Alison Chang ‘20
