Emma Worgum took a Swing to Collegiate Women’s Golf
Written by Tokala Tatum on May 20, 2025
In contemporary times we understand that many of our reservations share similar struggles across Turtle Island. Although Emma Worgum shows how community can also inspire and catapult your journey to show that it’s possible especially in women’s golf.
Emma Worgum, hailing from the Tlingit tribe out of Yakutat Alaska, being raised in La Conner alongside the Swinomish tribe and reservation, she’s proved herself on and off the golf course.
Check out the full interview hosted by Jermaine Jackson through his show ‘The Winner’s Edge’ down below‼️ 👇👇
EARLY BEGINNINGS
Emma Worgum started as a young child playing golf alongside tribal leaders within her Swinomish Community. Emma’s mother worked within the tribal government doing a lot of community involvement which led to an extremely connected daughter on and off the golf course.
Starting early with her father being a former collegiate baseball player. Emma understood her strengths instantly, her personality which includes patience and hand-eye coordination led her straight to the golf course. Ultimately winning high school state championships and committing to Western Washington University to compete in women’s golf.
”It was the first time I learned that I have a chance to hang with the really big players.” – Emma Worgum
Collegiate Level Play
Emma Worgum began to compete at the next level, getting as high as 2nd place at some big tournaments as recent as 2024. Although Emma isn’t new to struggles that come with competing in sports at a high level. Emma had a few rough tournaments where her score wasn’t as high as she prepared for but she has found a great way to improve consistently.
Emma states that whenever she has setbacks, she obsesses over her results, evaluating her short comings and her wins on the course, in order to plan a course of action to be better.
Her personality is one thing that Emma always states helps her love for the game stay consistent. She states that her patience, not being overly competitive, and constantly being in harmony with others helps her take part in the gentleman’s sport known as golf.
Although her reasons for her personality and where her voice comes from goes deeper than that.
”One of my biggest values is the connection you have with the greater world. I try to move through life connected to the area that I’m in.” -Emma Worgum
CULTURE DRIVES THROUGH IT ALL
Sustainability and connection to the land, people and surrounding area is something that drives her in her career. Emma Worgum currently majors in Urban Planning and Sustainable Development in order to nurture her community.
Emma Worgum always shows thanks to her mother and father for differing reasons. Her mother showing her the ways of tribal leadership, community involvement and self-advocacy. While her father has showed her how to stay true to herself and being brave amidst adversity at the college level and beyond.
She ends off by giving advice to the indigenous youth who may want to play at the collegiate level or just chase their dreams in general.
”The greatest piece of advice that I could give is that you earned your spot, your worked hard for everything you have and no one can take that away from you.” – Emma Worgum
Check out the full interview below and go follow/support Emma Worgum in all that she does.
