Gigi Stoll, a 29-year-old golfer from Beaverton, is making waves in the world of golf, aiming to make the sport more inclusive and accessible to all. Her journey to the top has been a rollercoaster, filled with both triumphs and challenges. Stoll's talent is undeniable; at just 15, she won the U.S. Women's Open qualifier and competed with the national championship-winning University of Arizona women's team. However, the mental toll of surviving the LPGA Tour cannot be understated. Stoll spent four years on the Epson Tour, competing for a chance to play in the LPGA fully, which she finally earned in 2025. The sport demands a certain level of mental fortitude, and athletes like Stoll practice breathing exercises and hire mental coaches to minimize their anxieties and stress. Despite the challenges, Stoll finds solace in competing at home around her family. The course is familiar, and she gets a chance to hug her family, who are happy to spend hours on the course reciting her old high school basketball statistics and recounting stories with an awe that only comes after years of watching a determined Stoll chase her dreams. As much as the performance still matters, Stoll is also older. Golf has been a consistent friend to the once-young girl from Beaverton, whose afternoon responsibilities switched from schoolwork to the familial responsibilities of her engagement with her fiancée, Steph, and time on the course. In her downtime, she's also returned to writing rap songs, a hobby she picked up in college to lighten the pressure of NCAA golf. Her newest song, a laid-back, melodic pop-rap song "Common Ground," invites listeners to the country club. "Doesn’t matter where you’re from, we all have the same link," she sings. "‘Cause the green is more common than you think." Golf, in Stoll's opinion, has grown to be more inclusive in recent years. As a result, more people can see people who look like them, who love like them, Stoll believes. "That’s the beautiful thing about golf: there’s no cookie cutter. Any person can be a golfer. It can be for everybody," she said. And for the young girls looking up to Stoll, she repeats the sentiment, albeit with more emphasis behind her words. "Just be yourself and enjoy the game," she said. "Work hard if you really want to play the sport. But just be yourself, and that’ll take you really far." Stoll's journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and the inclusivity of golf. Her story inspires young girls to pursue their dreams and find their place in the sport, regardless of their background or achievements. As she continues to navigate the tour, Stoll's impact on the sport will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression, making golf a more welcoming and diverse space for all.
