Women's Golf | 6/5/2018 10:06:00 AM

Mhotsha Discovers New Home at Alcorn, Her School of Opportunity

LORMAN, Miss. – Ouname Mhotsha had never stepped foot in the United States until she arrived at Alcorn State University to be a part of the women's golf program.
 
And those first steps in Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport for the Gaborone, Botswana native came in rundown shoes with holes in them, and a small suitcase of clothes that wouldn't give her much challenge of picking out an outfit each day.
 
"I was just so excited to be in America. I wasn't nervous at all about coming, and I was more than ready," Mhotsha said. "Getting to America to play a sport is the goal for most kids back home including myself. Everyone back home refers to this land as the land of opportunity. People can come to this country without anything holding them back, and they can be as good as they want to be."
 
With the youth of her country on her shoulders, Mhotsha made the most of her first year at Alcorn in 2017-18. In addition to posting a 3.2 GPA as an agriculture major, she was also named to the SWAC All-Conference Second-Team. Mhotsha was Alcorn's top finisher at the 2018 SWAC Championships with a two-round score of 161, placing sixth overall.
 
"All of the kids look up to me back home, and I promised them that I would be doing this for them," Mhotsha said. "My younger siblings would love to play golf in America too. There are a lot of opportunities here to both play a sport and get an education. America allows kids the opportunity to have success in both sports and academics."
 
While looking for schools in America to play golf for, Mhotsha circled Alcorn due to its location and culture.
 
"Alcorn is a great school for me. I like a place of tranquility, without a lot of noise and away from a big city. I also like how it is not so cold during the winter like it is back home, and of course the people are amazing. I love being at a small University and all my professors know me personally and are very helpful."
 
Mhotsha started playing golf at 7 years old. Her father, Godfrey, is the manager at Gaborone Golf Club in Botswana. Gaborone is also the capital of the country.
 
"Every day after school my dad would take me to play golf, so I grew up in the golfing community. Botswana is a small country so I knew everyone that played golf," Mhotsha said. "When I wasn't at school, I was always at the golf club from morning until evening. I pretty much grew up there."
 
Still, golf is not largely popular in Botswana. According to topendsports.com, soccer is the dominating sport in the country. It is followed by boxing, cricket, rugby, tennis, badminton, basketball and track & field.
 
Mhotsha wanted to get out and surround herself in a place that better funds her sport. She's the oldest of four siblings including two brothers and a sister, and she has the same vision for her family.
 
"The golf programs in America are much better than back home. The Universities don't even have golf, so most golfers wanting to get an education are choosing between America and South Africa," Mhotsha said. "It is a goal to make it here."
 
Mhotsha was one of the leaders for the Lady Braves on the golf course this past year. She shot a 77 or better in three rounds, including a career-best 76 in the second round of the PVAMU Invitational on Oct. 9, 2017. Mhotsha also registered a pair of top-three individual finishes, including runner-up honors at the PVAMU Invitational with a three-round score of 240.
 
"Ouname is a joy to have on the team. She came here from Africa on her own and brought a lot of energy along with a positive attitude at all times," said Alcorn head coach Kent Smith. "She is a tremendous golfer with a lot of upside and also fit in right away with her teammates. Her work-ethic will allow her to excel in anything she does in life, and I'm excited to see what more she'll be able to accomplish in 2018-19."
 
Despite all of Mhotsha's success on the golf course last season, she believes she is capable of achieving much more in 2018-19 and beyond.
 
"I know I can do better than All-Conference Second-Team in the SWAC. If I put in more practice hours this season and spend more time with coach, I know I am good enough to win," Mhotsha said.
 
Upon graduation, Mhotsha said she'd like to continue playing golf but also pursue a Master's degree in America.


 
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