The University of Texas at Austin Athletics
More Than A Game
09.10.2017 | Women's Golf
Texas Women's Golf Exes Champion Hurricane Relief Efforts.
A family extends far beyond blood relatives.
That's one of the biggest lessons that Texas women's golf alum Shannon Fish (2007-10) said she learned from the Texas Family during her collegiate career on the Forty Acres.
"It really taught me that family is so important, which extends beyond the people I performed with at Texas and the people I met," Fish said. "There are Longhorns around the country and around the world. That part just really makes me proud to be a Longhorn."
Fish and Angela Akins Garcia (2007-08) are two former Texas golfers who are actively participating in efforts to assist those who have been affected by Hurricane Harvey in the Texas bay area.
"Texans are tough," said Texas associate head coach Kate Golden, an East Texas native. "They will overcome this. Professional athletes like JJ Watt, Sergio Garcia and Shannon Fish have shown us that efforts – big and small – can go a long way."
Fish, a Spring, Texas, native, who earned her bachelor's degree in government from UT in 2010, was a 2008 All-Big 12 Conference First Team selection. She is currently a player on the Symetra Tour, who was inspired to give back to her hometown after making a difficult decision in the days leading up to Hurricane Harvey's landfall.
"When I had to leave to go to [the Sioux Falls GreatLIFE Challenge], that was right when the hurricane was hitting," Fish said. "I was torn between staying with my family and helping the people affected in Houston, and going to play. I really needed to go work and play in the biggest tournament of the year. I ended up leaving and it was just really hard. Even though I couldn't physically be there, I needed to step up to the plate and help."
Fish pledged to donate $100 for each birdie she made and $500 for each eagle. Her tour and the tournament's title sponsor both jumped on board, as did many fellow tour members. She has already guaranteed more than $91,000 in funds for Hurricane Harvey relief efforts.
"I'm really amazed and humbled," Fish said. "What could have been a $100-$1,000 idea has the potential to reach upwards of $100,000. I just think that you have to try and be a friend to your friends and a positive role model on the platform that you have. Players got behind this, the tour got behind this and even folks in Sioux Falls, which is 1,000 miles away cared enough to donate and support Houston."
Akins and her husband Sergio Garcia, who has won 31 international tournaments as a professional and is a member of the PGA Tour and the European Tour, are pledging $2,000 for each of Sergio Garcia's birdies and $5,000 for each of his eagles throughout the remainder of the FedEx Cup Playoffs, beginning with this past weekend's Dell Technologies Championship.
Akins earned her bachelor's degree in journalism from UT and has worked as a broadcaster with Golf Channel and Fox Sports Southwest. Her father, Marty Akins, is a Texas Ex and former All-America football player for the Longhorns from 1973-75.
Understanding Akins' deep passion for her home state and the city of Houston – her birthplace – Garcia came home one day and pitched to his wife the idea that they use golf as a means to help victims of Hurricane Harvey. The idea from her husband, Akins said, brought tears to her eyes.
"Angela and I were very sad to see what happened not only in Houston, but all around Texas from Hurricane Harvey," said Garcia, a native of Borriol, Spain. "I feel even more of a Texan after being married to Angela. We wanted to contribute in any way we could. Everybody has been very positive and very thankful. We are really enjoying the little moments and making sure that we can make as many birdies as possible."
Garcia is one of several prominent professional men's golfers to pledge a commitment to funding relief efforts, including Dustin Johnson and Justin Thomas. Akins has been overwhelmed by the outpouring of support for her home state, especially those efforts spearheaded by professional athletes and their families. The Garcias haven't determined which relief effort the funds will support, but are considering partnering with the fund started by Texans star JJ Watt.
"I was obviously really sad because I was born in Houston," Akins said. "I call Austin home, but seeing what was happening in Houston with my friends and families was really hard to watch. It has been tragic, but it has brought together different people. It doesn't matter people's race or religion, people are just happy to help each other. It has shown just how amazing our state is – that people have come far and wide to help each other."
A pair of Texas women's golfers – Maddie Luitwieler (Katy) and Kelly Xac (Corpus Christi) – have been personally affected by Hurricane Harvey, as their hometowns are among the areas that faced devastation.
"I think it is truly amazing that Angela and Shannon are helping people who are affected by the Hurricane through golf," Luitwieler said. "It goes to show how we can use the sport we love to help others and the fact that they are Texas Exes makes it even more special."
Luitwieler and her family emerged from the storm with very few effects. Her brother and sister's school was heavily flooded and the homes of her friends suffered the same fate. Thanks to a strong support network in her community and beyond, many have been able to begin the road to recovery.
"This sort of support is truly amazing and makes me proud to be a Texan," she said. "It will be a long time before their lives are back to normal. In Texas, we are a family. We come together and support one another, in good times and in the face of adversity."
Xac and her family were equally fortunate in surviving Harvey unscathed. As hard as the devastation to her hometown has been for her to witness, the response to the storm has been inspiring to the Texas sophomore.
"It was terrifying and heartbreaking to see the pictures and videos people from nearby areas posted during and after the hurricane," Xac said. "I have been to many of the places that were destroyed in the storm, so seeing this happen so close to home while being away at college was really tough. However, I've seen people in my community gather like never before to support those who were affected, and it's been extremely uplifting."
Accordingly, University of Texas President Greg Fenves recently announced that The University of Texas will dedicate $500,000, including funds from the athletics partnership with Nike, to serve as financial aid for UT students who were impacted by the storm and flooding.
President Fenves encouraged members of the UT community to donate funds to match the $500,000 with a goal to raise $1,000,000 for UT students affected by Harvey. More information on the intiative is available here.
Players Mentioned
