Tiara tees-up history

The 2021-22 season will become a historic one for Cal Maritime Athletics because that is when Thanaphorn "Tiara" Supakit will become the founding member of the Keelhaulers' women's golf team and first female cadet-athlete golfer at Cal Maritime.

The university first accepted female cadets in 1973.

For Tiara, the opportunity did not come out of thin air. A combination of her passion, persistence and drive created this moment.

"Somehow I can't believe it's actually going to happen, it's almost surreal," said Tiara, a senior who also competes for the Keelhauler cross country team. "It took three years, and I'm so grateful."

Tiara chose Cal Maritime because of its close-knit community, access to professors and the international experience offered to International Business and Logistics majors. She immersed herself in campus life, eventually becoming President of the Gardening Club, a Resident Hall Officer and a mentor in the Educational Opportunity program.

But, there was something missing for the woman who learned the game from her step-dad and had been playing competitively on the fairways of Balboa Golf Course in Greater Los Angeles: an opportunity to compete at the collegiate level here at Cal Maritime.

"Not having a team to play for was really challenging. There's this thing that you really want to do, but there's not a place for you to sign up," said Tiara, whose high school also did not have a women's team. "So you kind of just have to keep asking and put in the effort to make it happen."

Tiara offered her assistance to help with the process in creating a program. Then, with Cal Maritime head coach Sam Pecota and second-year Director of Athletics and Physical Education Karen Yoder on board, the wheels began to turn over the summer. Pecota and Yoder worked behind the scenes to build the foundation, and the first-ever tryouts for the team were held in September.

The Keelhaulers eventually will need at least four players to fill an entire squad, but Tiara hopes she can be the example that attracts more female cadet-athletes to play golf at Cal Maritime.

"I always wanted to play sports in college and continue playing golf," said Tiara. "I know there's going to be more women like me who want to be a part of the team, too. I'm looking forward to seeing the team grow this year and in the future."

Tiara plans to move to Japan upon graduation to pursue a master's degree related to landscape architecture. She sees the benefits of bringing people closer to nature and how it can positively benefit the community and the environment. Wherever she ends up, she'll take the lessons she's learned on the course and Cal Maritime with her.

"The most important lesson I've learned is to keep trying and never give up. The reward is always worthwhile," said Tiara. "As long as you know where you want to go and you keep trying every single day to be in that position, you'll eventually get there."