Godwin began her golf career when she was 13 years old. Since then she has competed in many tournaments, including the Western Women's Open in Wisconsin, the Junior World in San Diego, as well as events hosted by the American Junior Golf Association and International Junior Golf Tour. Godwin has traveled to 13 different states and competed in 30 different tournaments. As if that weren't enough, Godwin has also been named Philadelphia PGA Junior Champion and Player of the Year, with a score of 79 in 1998 and Central League Champion in Pennsylvania, with a score of 78 her senior year.
Godwin's career-best showing was a 75 at the Girls Inter-City Team Matches, which included competitors from Philadelphia, Boston and New York and was held at the Wianno Club near Cape Cod. Godwin also qualified to go to Pennsylvania state competitions in both her junior and senior years of high school. As a senior in high school, Godwin was also the captain and MVP of the otherwise all-male golf team.
With all her experience prior to college, it is no wonder that Godwin is a vital member of the Amherst squad. At Amherst, Godwin has played very well in all four invitationals in which the team has competed.
At the Yale Invitational, Amherst on Sept. 22-23, which was the only Division III school present in the tournament, finished in 17th place out of 18 schools. Godwin individually contributed a total score of a 187, tying with Team Captain Jamie Ratner '02. "Yale was a difficult course, and it really tested us in our first competition," said Godwin
On Sept. 29-30, the Jeffs played in the Mount Holyoke Invitational and placed fourth (behind Central Connecticut State University, Methodist University, and Dartmouth College) out of 20 schools competing, shooting a 345 the second day, one of the best team scores ever. Godwin shot an 88 the first day and an 86 the second day. "We as a team felt that we were in contention and it was exciting," she said.
At the Princeton Invitational on Oct. 6-7, Amherst finished 12th out of 24 schools. Godwin had rounds of 93 and 84. "I was disappointed in the way that I played the first day, and I made up my mind to make a comeback and play better the second day," she said.
In the last match of the season at Williams, Godwin posted an 88 to help Amherst get its first victory of the season. "I think we proved to ourselves this season that we can win, and that's powerful," said Godwin. "I think it will make us work harder and be more competitive for next season. This season our goal was to shoot around 450 and we did. Next season I think our target should be 425."
"We have a great team, and we're starting to made a name for ourselves and it's exciting to be a part of that," she added.
Godwin's years of golf experience have paid off both on and off the course. "Golf has helped me create habits that I can apply to my life outside of the sport. It forces me to concentrate and stay in the present."
Godwin is also hoping to establish a chapter of The First Tee, with the help of the college golf team. Two years ago, the World Golf Foundation created the program to provide more accessible golf opportunities for underprivileged inner-city kids. To help the local First Tee Chapter achieve some of its goals, which included providing golf facilities in public housing projects, Godwin spearheaded a fundraiser in her high school. "I think that golf is a good way to teach kids honesty and integrity and still allow them to have fun while they're learning," she said.