GAP Magazine • 2024 Winter Issue • 2024 Junior Sportsperson of the Year Reagan Garnsey

ON THE GOLF COURSE, Reagan Garnsey is steely and jovial. Her infectious smile and personality uplift everyone around her. You’d never know if she shot 68 or 88.

“I’ve been learning that there are a lot of things you can’t control,” Garnsey said.

Learning to respond in a positive way has been important. By nature, I am a pretty thoughtful person. I think a lot about how to be better at golf and to be a better person.”

In 2017, along with her sister Payton, Garnsey created a non-profit called Buckets of Love. It is committed to spreading joy to deserving children receiving medical care, residing in homeless shelters or are otherwise facing a difficult situation.

Throughout the course of the last six years, Garnsey estimates they have filled 10,000 buckets with toys, games and crafts and have raised close to $150,000.

Garnsey’s impact will be celebrated by many this year. Her efforts on and off the golf course have garnered her GAP’s Junior Sportsperson of the Year presented by NJM Insurance.

She’s the second female to win the award. Meghan Fahey of Merion Golf Club won the award in 2016.

To be recognized for my work off the course makes winning this award even better,” Garnsey, 17, of Wyoming, Del., said. “I work hard in my academics and in swimming, my second sport. I work hard to contribute to the community through community service and forming relationships.

It makes me excited because I am a very big proponent of getting more girls into golf and bringing more attention to women in the game. Getting that attention needs to happen. I am so grateful to GAP.”

In 2018, Buckets of Love was recognized nationally. It earned a LEAD360 Award from The Jefferson Awards Foundation, which recognizes public service in the United States.

“Winning that award was amazing,” Garnsey said. “We didn’t think we had a chance going against big metropolitan areas. But it turned out that the people in our small town came together and rallied for us, which enabled us to win the award and reach new heights.”

On the golf course, Garnsey is an advocate for more women in golf. She can always be seen out and about at her home club, Wild Quail Golf & Country Club.

“Existing as a girl in golf is enough,” Garnsey, a senior at Caesar Rodney High School, said. “It’s horrible to say but it does so much for girls on the fence. I remember one summer I was at Wild Quail and a young girl came up to me. She told me that seeing me on the course made it more comfortable for her to want to come and play. She said that I inspired her, which was crazy to hear. There are a lot of difficulties that come with being a girl in golf, and anything I can do to help make it easier for others is important to me.”

Her stout abilities and performances earned Garnsey a Division I Scholarship to William & Mary. She is a two-time Delaware Junior Girls’ Champion (2021, 2023).

“Reagan always has a good attitude on the golf course,” GAP Tournament Director Grant Morse, who is the Official in Charge of Delaware Championships, said. “She is a great ambassador for the game and makes the experience of playing in a GAP event enjoyable not just for her but for her playing partners as well. Her attitude towards GAP Staff, Volunteers and Rules Officials is always positive. She shows great sportsmanship and respect to everyone around her.”

Golf runs in the Garnsey family. Her father Brian used to be a golf professional and is a frequent Delaware competitor. While Garnsey didn’t start playing golf until the age of 10, in just seven years she has made an indelible impact. Her future is bright.

“I pride myself on being a hard worker and if I didn’t start late in golf I don’t think I’d have that attribute,” Garnsey said. “You can be however good of an athlete you want, but in my opinion your values make or break you. I’m honored. Winning this award means so much to me.”