Member Spotlight: Samantha Hennessy #130277 | Professional Disc Golf Association

Samantha Hennessy is a 35-year-old disc golfer from Spokane, Washington, with a big dream: to play disc golf in all 50 states. This goal is not just a hobby for her; it's a way of life. She's been playing the sport since 2014, when she was introduced to it on a third date, and has been hooked ever since.

When asked about her favorite thing about disc golf, Samantha replies that she loves being part of a community that allows her to compete while spending time outdoors. "I also love the feeling of throwing a good drive and watching it fly," she adds with enthusiasm. Her husband and young son are also avid disc golfers, and their family has even started a tradition of marking each state they visit on a map in their living room.

As a part-time graduate student, Samantha is taking her passion for disc golf to the next level by conducting research on its mental aspects. She's working on a study that examines self-talk among disc golfers while they're putting. "I need participants to complete my thesis and move forward with becoming a sport psychologist," she explains. The study involves a simple, 45-minute test that can be completed anywhere with a basket.

Samantha is eager to recruit participants for her research and invites interested individuals to email her directly. She's especially looking for disc golfers who are 18 years old or older and willing to take part in her study. As she points out, the results of this research could have a significant impact on athletes, coaches, and sport psychologists, helping them create more effective self-talk trainings.

With her husband and son by her side, Samantha is living proof that disc golf can be a family activity that brings people together. Her love for the sport has inspired her to pursue a new career as a sport psychologist, and she's determined to make a positive impact on the community through her research. As she puts it, "I'm in serious need of participants, but I'm also excited to see where this research takes me!"

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/news/member-spotlight-samantha-hennessy-130277