From Childhood to College: Brinker and Heflin’s Journeys to Duke

By Charlotte Tannenbaum, Duke Athletics Communications Student Assistant

There’s no question that Duke women’s golf is a close-knit team. The talented group of seven spend long hours supporting one another on and off the course. But for two golfers, this relationship started long before they became Blue Devils – sophomore Rylie Heflin and junior Phoebe Brinker have known each other for over a decade. From high school rivals to college teammates, the ladies have remained close friends through it all.

“It’s really cool the way that sports can bring people together,” said Brinker. “You push each other and you grow with each other.  We started at the lower level tournaments and then we worked our way up together.”

Heflin and Brinker’s friendship began at a summer camp in Pennsylvania when they were young golfers. Their paths continued to cross for years as they competed in tournaments against one another, and they even shared their first swing coach. When they were representing different high schools, the golfers still felt a shared connection as two of only a few girls playing amongst a high school bracket full of boys.

“Every spring, they would compete against one another at DIAA States and every year they cheered for each other where together they dominated the field, much to the chagrin of their competitive male opponents,” recalls Rylie’s mother Kim Heflin.

“Delaware golf didn’t know how to handle it,” declares Heflin.

No matter the scale of the competition, the girls always had each other’s back.

“Even in the Delaware State championships, they kept their love of the game and for each other,” confirms Phoebe’s mother Tracy Brinker.  “Honestly, it brings a tear to my eye thinking about them on the golf course pushing each other, and after the conclusion of a match congratulating each other, regardless of the outcome.”

Growing up as high-level golfers in the youth circuit,  golf was a massive time commitment for both Brinker and Heflin. Their day-to-day lives were filled with hours on the course, and each of them appreciated having a friend who was familiar with the same sacrifice and commitment.  

“From day one, the girls developed a unique bond, sharing the love of a game most of their friends did not play,” said Kim Heflin.

“The amount of extra time – traveling, missing dances, not being able…