T E X A R K A N A M A G A Z I N E
“ Golf is such an
individual sport, but it represents me as a person. ”
G raci Henard
The goals she has achieved and the success she has experienced would not have been possible without this tremendous amount of effort on her part.” Henard said, “Golf is such an individual sport, but it represents me as a person. I am extremely independent and take responsibility for myself… Competing in such an individual sport allows me to depend solely on myself. In team sports, there are so many parts of the team, and sometimes, losing is not your fault. I have had to learn to accept my failures as my own, which has really developed me as a person and taught me a lot of valuable lessons that carry over not just in golf, but in school and life.” Henard will continue her golf career beyond Texas High School when she enrolls at Dallas Baptist University this fall. “After some thought, I chose Dallas Baptist [University] (DBU) over Oklahoma Christian University and Middle Tennessee State University. I chose DBU for the competitive atmosphere and Coach Trapp. He is going to push me and help me reach my full potential.” Joy Henard said of her daughter’s college opportunities, “I was praying for the perfect coach at the perfect time. Then came along Coach Kenny Trapp, the six-time National Christian College Athletic Association National Golf Coach of the Year and Head Women’s Golf Coach at Dallas Baptist University. When recruiting regulations were lifted, we traveled to Dallas to meet Coach Trapp, and the rest is history. We could not be more thrilled that Graci will be a future Patriot and are excited that Coach Trapp will be the one to take her to the next level.” Henard’s dad also couldn’t be happier that she is headed to DBU. Jeff said, “When the recruiting process started and I looked at schools, DBU secretly was my top pick. It’s a small conservative Christian school, a top five nationally ranked girl’s golf program and a coach who won National Coach of the Year in 2020. I didn’t care what division, or how big the school was, I wanted her to go
photos by Matt Corneliius
to a school that would grow her into a godly woman and help her become the best golfer she could be. I believe she is going to that place and can’t wait to see what God does with her.” Henard’s parents hope that the lessons she has learned on the course stick with her throughout the rest of her life. “The game of golf has helped us teach her so many great lessons about life itself. ‘Lessons like there is no substitute for hard work. The more you put into it, the more you get out of it.’ Lessons on perseverance. ‘You have to learn to overcome a bad shot or decision on the course and sometimes even a bad break, so that it won’t affect your entire round.’ Lessons like humility. ‘You will win some days and you lose some days; just never give up.’ The memories on the course and lessons golf brings will continue on indefinitely as she ages.” “It has always been a dream of mine to play professional golf. I trust that wherever I end up, God has a plan for me, even if it means I won’t play professionally. I know that I have the drive and determination to get to that level, but in the end, golf isn’t everything,” Henard said. “My role on the golf team is merely a role that God is using to impact others’ lives by working through me. I don’t know what the future holds, but I know God knows where I’ll be in five, ten and twenty years. So, planning to go pro is a goal I plan on pursuing, but whatever God has in store for me is something I want more than my desires for personal fame. In the end, whatever I end up doing is for His glory, not mine.”
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S P O R T S & E N T E R TA I N M E N T
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