Walking up the 18th fairway, carrying a golf bag, with elite competition just a couple yards behind. Only it looks a little different now. Michelle Duan has found a new purpose on the course as a coach and caddie.
From growing up playing junior golf in Reno, Nevada, to competing at University of Nevada, Reno and California State University, Northridge (CSUN), Duan now finds herself on the course caddying for her younger sister Alice as she makes her way through the Epson Tour Qualify Series (Q-Series).
“I was lucky to grow up with a best friend and a playing partner my whole life,” says Michelle. “Having this dedicated quality time with my sister – four or five hours – just the two of us is really nice.”
The Duan duo reunited at CSUN when Michelle transferred for her last two years of collegiate golf, overlapping with Alice’s second year.
Their parents introduced them to golf at a young age, Michelle at four years old and Alice three. The sisters watched each other grow through the game.
“My job isn’t to tell her how to play golf. It’s to keep her in a mindset that is going to motivate her to do her best on the next shot,” says Michelle.
Alice and Michelle were on the road in October at the Plantation Golf and Country Club in Florida at stage two of Q-Series. Alice didn’t make it to stage three after facing a field of 194 players competing for 35 spots.
“I’m proud of how she did,” says Michelle. “It’s not all about the results, it’s about the process and focusing the best you can on every shot.”
Since Alice is a well-seasoned golfer, Michelle’s primary role as her caddie is to make sure she’s visualizing each shot, eating enough food and staying present.
“I like providing one last swing thought because you can’t force a good shot, and I’m learning that there’s no magic way to get into ‘the zone,’” says Michelle.
“You got this” and “don’t force anything” are the words of encouragement her sister needs to execute the shot they visualize together. As a team.
Michelle now calls Seattle home, where she started coaching at a local high school but more recently became the assistant coach for the Seattle University (SU) men’s and women’s golf teams.
The SU teams tap into Michelle’s Division I experience, which led the women’s team to winning the Western Athletic Conference Championship and advancing to the NCAA Regional for the first time in program history.
“Meesh,” as her friends call her, never imagined a life in golf after college. She moved to Seattle and began a career in finance but maintained a close relationship with the game through her local women’s golf club at Everett Golf and Country Club. The former Matador won the first four club championships she competed in.
“Some people dream of winning The Masters. I dream of winning the ladies championship at my club,” she says.
Whether she’s out on the course playing with her friends, coaching the Seattle University crew or caddying for her sister, Meesh finds joy in the unexpected opportunities golf has provided.
“It’s a shared joy out there,” she says. “If they make a birdie, I make a birdie. I’m their biggest cheerleader.”
