Whether it’s chalking up birdies on the links or studying in the library, women’s golfer Clare Brady has been taking care of business—impressively so—since stepping onto the Chico State campus in the fall of 2017. Her unwavering work ethic has resulted in success on golf courses throughout the Western United States, and an notable array of academic honors. As the 2020–21 academic year comes to a close, Brady’s efforts have once again been recognized as the recipient of the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) Dr. Hal Charnofsky Memorial Award. She’s also the latest Wildcat of the Week.
The Charnofsky Award recognizes student-athletes who have distinguished themselves in the classroom and in their sport. The award is given annually to two student-athletes at each CCAA institution who participate in a conference sport. Recipients are selected by their respective athletics department members in consultation with the institution’s faculty athletics representative. Brady and baseball’s Kristian Scott are representing the Wildcats in 2020–21.
“I’m so shocked and very humbled,” Brady said upon finding out she had won the Charnofsky Award. “I’m one of those people who works really hard and doesn’t give themselves enough credit, so this award is a great reminder that the hard work was all worth it and not a waste of time. I’m so touched.”
Brady is the first Chico State women’s golfer to receive the CCAA’s Charnofsky Award since the honor was first presented in 2003–04.
A public relations major, Brady finished her senior year last week, and has made the decision to forego her final year of athletic eligibility to concentrate on the classes she needs to take to graduate in the spring of 2022.
Brady is no stranger to being recognized for her academic accomplishments. Prior to winning the Charnofsky Award, the Bay Area native earned three CCAA All-Academic awards, and was named to the Women’s Golf Coaches Association All-American Scholar Team as a freshman—all while establishing herself as an important part of the Chico State women’s golf program.
“I think it’s very tempting to let all of the things and stresses overwhelm you. I just realized you have to commit to the moment you’re in and embrace it,” Brady said of her success in juggling her classroom responsibilities with the time demands of being a student-athlete. “If you’re at practice, do what you need to do. When you’re working on your homework, concentrate on what’s in front of you. My attitude was that I was going to do my best with what I have facing me the next day, and doing the best that I can in the moment.”
Brady credits one of her Wildcat teammates with inspiring her to continue to work hard and thrive in both school and in golf.
“Natalie Kinney got recruited with me (in 2017). Her work ethic is untouchable,” Brady said. “I love her so much, and we both value that work ethic. It’s not like I never had it, but I recognized she valued the same things I did, and we just worked together really well, because we held the same values.”
Like a lot of Chico State students in the just-concluded academic year, Brady took a while to warm up to virtual classes. But it gave her the opportunity to embrace other significant aspects of her life.
“It was a struggle; I’m not going to sugarcoat it,” Brady said. “It was hard. I recognized the importance of my mental health and the importance of exercising, eating well, and in-person socializing. I had to hold onto the little things, like going on a walk, getting some air, and getting a snack. This past year really forced me to slow down and spend a lot of time on my studies.”
The cancellation of the 2020–21 women’s golf season also afforded Brady a unique learning opportunity.
“I was a part of the internship program for Tehama Group Communications (Chico State’s student-run public relations firm),” she said. “I learned a lot about leading a team in a professional, online setting. I learned about the simple things, and how to cultivate team culture virtually.”
Let’s not forget: the Charnofsky Award considers a student-athlete’s prowess not only in the classroom, but in the field of competition. To that end, Brady’s Wildcat golf résumé more than holds its own. She averaged 79.9 strokes per round over her four-year Chico State career, racking up 21 sub-80 rounds while posting 11 top 25 tournament finishes, a pair of top 10 performances…and a lifetime of memories.
Brady remembers her first collegiate tournament, making her Wildcats debut in September, 2017 at the West Region Preview in Durango, Colorado.
“I was so nervous, but I was so excited, too,” she said. “I remember things being very difficult because of the higher elevation. But once I got to playing, I kind of fell into my groove.”
Brady’s ninth place finish in the 2018 CCAA Championship Tournament is another high point in her Wildcat career.
“I remember the day I shot even par (in the tournament’s second round),” she said. “I was in such a good head space. I remember being so confident in my game, not because it was perfect, but it was mine. I just let it happen. It was what I brought to the tournament and it was great. To me, golf is very methodical and in some points very peaceful, and very good for my personality.”
The Wildcats’ 2019 trip to Hawaii to compete in the Dennis Rose Collegiate Invitational is another of Brady’s fondest Wildcat experiences.
“That was really special,” she said. “When I tell people about that trip, it was 40 percent golf and 60 percent bonding with my team. There was a lot of downtime that allowed us to enjoy our friendship, and I’m really grateful we were able to do that.”
Asked about what she’ll miss most about playing for the Wildcats, Brady did not hesitate to answer.
“My team. They’re the reason I came,” she said. “All I wanted in college golf was girls that were going to work as hard as I do, and I got that. I’ll miss Coach (Heather Fegley). She has been so supportive. She knew when to hold me accountable and when to be a friend. She was a student-athlete, too, so she gets it.”
As she prepares for her final classes prior to graduating, Brady is starting to look towards the future. Nothing is definite at this point, but it’s a safe bet she’ll seize every opportunity with the energy and spirit that made her an award-winning student-athlete.
“I’m considering studying abroad over the winter break,” Brady said. “Then (following graduation) diving into my professional career as much as I dove into golf. I plan to bring the same drive and work ethic to something new.”
