Chasing Perfection

Golf has become a pastime of many Americans. A lot of people use golf as a way to exercise, socialize, or to just enjoy nature. However, there is a smaller group of individuals who become fixated on pursuing perfection. Within that group, we find one woman from southwest Illinois who is still chasing the white rabbit. Her name is Riley Burns.

Edwardsville, Illinois is a stone's throw from St. Louis, just across the Missouri/Illinois border. This is where Riley, a senior women's golfer at William Penn, was born and raised. Riley's father was a walk-on collegiate golfer and was always hopeful that his daughter would follow in his footsteps.

"He got me started with lessons really early on; at about six years old I started getting my first swing lessons," Riley said.

These lessons prompted her to start going to the driving range as well as the course with her dad whenever she could. Only a few years later, at the age of nine, she was in her first tournament. Riley was hooked.

"I had my dad there caddying with me," Riley said.  "At the age of 12 or 13 is when I was really serious about focusing on golf."

Riley would go on to golf for her high school team at Edwardsville High School, where she was a second-team all-conference performer, second-team all-area selection, and state qualifier. These performances would catch the attention of Stephen Main, the women's golf coach at Central Methodist University in Fayette, Missouri.

"He reached out and we had a phone call," Riley said.  "Right off the bat something felt different than the other coaches."

Stephen and Riley had an immediate connection, which was the main reason she decided to sign with CMU.  Following her mom's footsteps, she chose to pursue a career in early education.

"I was a pretty early commit; I signed my letter of intent on my first day of my senior year," Riley said.  "I was there for two years, and I had a great time, especially with the golf program."

That was until the end of her sophomore year, when Coach Main received an opportunity that he could not refuse and took a coaching position at a different college.

"Without Coach there, I felt as though the experience would not same at CMU," Riley said.

As Main was in the process of leaving, he spoke with Riley about her next steps, and they spoke about William Penn. He spoke highly of the Statesmen golf program which had garnered a winning reputation over the recent years. After a good conversation with then-head coach Elise Ibrahim, in addition to William Penn having a stellar education program, she committed to be a Statesmen.

"I went with it, and it turned out to be a great blessing for me," Riley said.

Riley moved onto the Oskaloosa campus near the end of August and thankfully, after a couple days of team bonding, any worries she had that she made the wrong decision were squashed.

"I was absolutely terrified, coming in as a junior, feeling like a freshman all over again," Riley said.  "Fortunately, I quickly started to feel like I could be myself, especially with Carlee (Frayne).  We were both pretty loud at times, but also loved to laugh."

Carlee seemed to be a gravitational force on the team, and was always filled with positive energy.  In addition to that friendship, Riley would go on to make deep, memorable connections with all of her teammates.

"I feel like I have a different story from every girl on the team," Riley said.

Riley is now a senior and about to complete her undergraduate degree at WPU.  When thinking about being closing the book on competitive golf, Riley finds herself torn.

"It's difficult for me because this is truly the biggest joy that I have, but I am excited for the next few years, especially coming back here to student teach next fall," Riley said.

After student teaching, she plans to reunite with Coach Main as a graduate assistant at Missouri Valley College in Marshall, Missouri. She is eager for her next opportunity.

"I get to be in a new role, from being the athlete to the other side, as a coach," Riley said.

Although she did not envision this path, she is so glad she took it.

 "Everything really does happen for a reason," Riley said.  "I never pictured myself transferring, but this has turned out to be the best thing.  I've had the absolute best two years."