Jace Minni didn’t have to look far for advice on what to expect in his freshman year at an American school.
The 18-year-old golf standout heads for Gonzaga University next week where he will be dropped off by his sister Amanda. She will then drive back west to Corvallis for her fourth year at Oregon State University. The Tsawwassen siblings both earned scholarships at their respective schools.
“I would be lost without her,” smiled Jace. “She knows so much about all the stuff I’m going through because she has done it and did a really good job with it too. The stuff like getting me into the school and getting me organized has helped a ton.”
COVID-19 means it won’t be a typical fall season for either of them.
Amanda will be tested upon her arrival at Corvallis. She will then go into quarantine and await her results. Regularly testing will follow as she uses the team’s practice and workout facilities in the weeks ahead. There will be no tournaments this fall and her coach’s involvement is still be determined under strict NCAA guidelines for what is considered “out-of-season” training. All her classes will be online.
It’s a similar scenario for Jace although Gonzaga being a smaller school means he will be able to attend two of his classes.
As a member of Golf Canada’s national junior team, an exciting 2020 itinerary, which included trips to Japan, Florida and California was wiped out by the pandemic. Instead he spent plenty of time playing locally on the Vancouver Golf Tour (VGT) and made the cut on the MacKenzie Tour’s Bear Mountain stop earlier this month.
“It was tough not being able do that stuff but I was able to make the most of it. It was good to get in a couple of tournaments and I was able to accomplish everything I wanted to do,” he said.
Amanda played in just one tournament this summer but certainly made a lasting impression. She fired rounds of 68-69 to not only capture the women’s division at the VGT’s Golden Eagle but finish second overall including the men’s pro division.
“I think the lack of (competitive tournaments) gave me a little more relaxed summer in that sense,” she said. “My golf game has improved honestly. I have been playing a lot with Jace and his buddies. Doing little money matches and stuff which has helped me.”
She still has three years of eligibility remaining after wrist surgery to repair a broken scaphoid bone resulted in her being sidelined for nine months and being red shirted her sophomore year. Another year was gained when COVID wiped out the 2020 spring season. She will make good use of the additional time in school.
“I am getting my undergraduate degree in business management next March then start my masters in business supply and logistics management in my fifth year. A certificate masters in financial and marketing is what I’m planning for my sixth year,” she said.
Amanda was named to the 2020 Pac-12 Conference Spring Academic Honor Roll.
