Rosie and Terry Garrett prior to Spring Valley’s girls golf match against Lugoff-Elgin on Wednesday, September 17.
Rosie Garrett is the No. 1 golfer for Spring Valley’s girls golf team. Her father, Terry Garrett, is the Vikings’ head coach.
While their goal is to lead Spring Valley to success on the links, the golf course holds a deeper meaning for this father-daughter duo.
“When I first started playing, it all started with my dad,” Rosie said. “He wanted me to be a golfer like he was. It also provided something for the two of us to do together, beyond it being a sport.”
Rosie’s love for golf grew as she would follow her dad on the course when he played with his friends. A former restaurant owner, Terry played a lot of golf around town, including 13 Heritage Pro Am events, winning it at least six times. During that time, he would also shape Rosie into a golfer. Since he is left handed, he was able to face her as they practiced.
When Rosie joined the varsity as an eighth grader, Terry became an assistant coach for the Vikings’ girls golf team. After two years in that roll, Terry became Spring Valley’s head coach.
“It gave me a sense of home everywhere I was,” Rosie said of having her dad as her coach. “Even during long practices, I would still have a comforting space. I always felt welcome off and on the course. I was always relaxed around my dad. He was always there to help, to calm my nerves.”
Both their lives changed dramatically on February 14, 2024, when Terry suffered a stroke.
“I went home from work on a Tuesday and went to bed and woke up six weeks later in a rehab hospital,” Terry said. “I couldn’t sit up or eat. I’ve had to be taught how to do both. Once I was able to come home, being out here with Rosie has been part of rehab.”
“ It was hard because we didn’t know what the outcome was going to be,” Rosie said. “It took a toll on golf. It wasn’t my biggest worry. When we found a way to tie it all together, we would start coming out with him riding in a cart with me and giving me simple pointers like he used to. While he wasn’t able to physically show me, he could explain it.”
Terry returned to the golf team in the fall of 2024, watching and helping where he could as the Vikings advanced to the state tournament for the first time in a decade.
The strength of Terry’s bond with Rosie has shown the most during his recovery. Terry’s left arm is paralyzed, and he requires some assistance from a cane. Among the many things Rosie helps her dad with is driving him around the course in a golf cart.
Nancy Garrett has seen what the relationship between her husband, daughter, and golf has meant to Terry’s recovery.
“ This has been a tough time for us,” Nancy said. “ Rosie has really kept us all together. If it wasn’t for her pushing him and him having the will to do this…that has kept him going. We are really proud of her for keeping him and us going. She’s the one who has had to endure everything. She’s done a beautiful job. She’s been great through all of this. It’s meant the world to me.”
“ It’s helped leaps and bounds,” Terry said. “ I’ve been in physical therapy for a year-and-a half. I have to set goals with the therapist. Golf has been an integral part of that recovery.”
Spring Valley assistant coach Eric Younginer has also been a big help with the team.
“We couldn’t do it without him,” Nancy said of Younginer. “ Where Terry can verbalize the instructions, Eric can physically show the players.”
With senior day for Spring Valley on Wednesday, September 30, and her time with the Vikings winding down, Rosie wants to leave a lasting impact on her team as well.
“ I want to be a model for my younger teammates,” Rosie said. “I want them to be able to take my spot, be better than I am. I want them to look up to me.”
Rosie isn’t sure that she’ll be able to play golf at the collegiate level, however, she hopes the sport is with her in the future.
“As my dad continues to get better, hopefully, one day we can play together,” Rosie said. “I want it to be something I can do with my brothers, my friends, and my teammates after we all graduate. I still have a love for golf. It will continue to be a part of my life.”
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