Travis Pointe Country Club members will see a familiar name among the 156-player field in this week’s Ann Arbor’s Road to the LPGA powered by the A2 Sports Commission. Sarah Hoffman, who has been playing at Travis Pointe Country Club since she was 5 years old, returns to both her home state and the LPGA stage.
“I grew up here in the junior golf program,” said Hoffman. “I started with two holes and worked my way up to 18. It was always a place to call home in the summer once I got to college. The membership has always been super nice and welcoming, so it’s always been a great place to practice when I come home and see my parents.”
The Michigan native and former nurse joined the Epson Tour in 2016, playing in 51 events from then until October of 2021. Hoffman now resides in Atlanta, Georgia, still in the golf industry working as Dunwoody Country Club’s Assistant Golf Professional.
“I’m so passionate about the game, and Dunwoody has a lot of juniors that are growing up,” said Hoffman. “I just want to share my passion for the game and see if I can get the kiddos excited about the game and inspire people to enjoy the game as much as I do.”
The Ann Arbor’s Road to the LPGA event will not be the first time Hoffman plays a professional event at Travis Pointe Country Club; she competed in the 2016 LPGA Volvik Championship. This week’s Epson Tour event will be Hoffman’s first start of the 2022 season. It may also be her last professional appearance.
“It’s really nice to see family and friends and catch up with my Tour family,” said Hoffman. “I think it’s probably my last Epson Tour event ever. You know obviously never say never, but I want to really enjoy it and play the best I can.”
Returning to her home course takes some pressure off Hoffman during the practice rounds, letting her focus on catching up and hanging out with her friends and Tour family.
“I feel like a tour guide,” said Hoffman. “I didn’t open up my yardage book the whole day and was just helping players with lines and stuff. It’s just nice to be back home.”
While playing on a course she’s familiar with takes a weight off Hoffman’s shoulders, it also means all eyes will be on her as Travis Pointe members, friends, and family root for their hometown hero. Luckily, Hoffman enjoys having a crowd, rather than viewing it as an added pressure.
“Any time people are pulling for you and rooting for you, it does something to the golf ball,” said Hoffman. “Maybe it helps. The energy is moving it in the right direction, and I had that when I was playing in the 2016 LPGA event out here. I kind of like having someone watch me and pulling for me, it’s really fun and a way better to have people clapping when you make a birdie than an awkward silence.”
Being back where it all started, at Travis Pointe Country Club, Hoffman reflects on her journey coming full circle once again. She wants to take it all in and enjoy the moment, something she would have also told her younger self to prioritize.
“I feel like I was so competitive growing up, as most of us were to get to this point,” said Hoffman. “Obviously it takes a certain level of competitiveness, but to stop living and dying by every shot and enjoy the journey. As long as you enjoy it and work hard, it’s limitless where you can go.”
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