Emmy Martin
Founder
Hey y’all! I’m Emmy, the founder of Played with Heart Inc.. I live in Atlanta, Georgia, but I’m a Florida girl and Texas will always have a piece of my heart!
A little bit more about me… I played college golf at Texas Christian University- a college experience that has never stopped sparkling in my mind. Anyone that knows me knows that I bleed purple and never miss a chance to cheer on my Alma Mater- Go Frogs!! After a successful collegiate and amateur career, I turned professional and played a few years on the Symetra Tour (recently renamed Epson Tour). I will always be grateful to Mr. Ben Kenny, the owner of The Golf Club of Georgia, for sponsoring my professional golf career and giving me the opportunity to pursue my dream.
The beautiful thing about golf is that it doesn’t matter how old you are or what level you play to participate. In fact, golf is a lifestyle. And as a tenured golfer of 15 years, it’s safe to say, it has become my lifestyle.
Recently, I took on a new role as Women’s Golf Ambassador at the Golf Club of Georgia and Horseshoe Bend Country Club. The Golf Club of Georgia will always be a special place to me, so I am thrilled to have this opportunity to establish a presence of women’s golf here and across Atlanta. I have been blessed immensely through the sport of golf, so my hope is to give all girls and women the same opportunities I’ve been given so they may experience and know the greater purpose found in this sport.
My Why
When I think back to my experience as a student-athlete at Texas Christian University, it just sparkles in my mind. It is during these four years at TCU that God revealed the impact golf has had on my life, allowing me to see golf in a whole new light.
When my dad introduced me to the game of golf at twelve years old, I had no idea of the incredible journey that lay ahead. This sport has shaped my life in so many ways. It has taught me many valuable life lessons, built lifelong relationships, and brought me some of my very best friends. It has taken me to some of the most beautiful places and paid my way to a college education. It has instilled values that have shaped me into the woman I am today and it has served as a platform God has given me to glorify Him. I truly wish that every girl had this same opportunity.
My Vision
Simply stated, I believe every girl should learn to play golf. Whether it’s competitively or just for fun, whether she’s young or old, whether she plays twice a year or every day, but every woman should learn this game and feel confident stepping onto a golf course. My vision is to change the narrative of women’s golf by welcoming women of all ages into the game and building a culture where golf is a just as much of a “lifestyle” fore the girls as it is for boys.
It’s amazing when you grow up how many girls all of the sudden want to learn to play so they can play golf with their husband, play in a company outing, or seal a big business deal over a round of golf. You see, golf can be a valuable skill to have! But, what if golf was already “cool?” My vision is to glamorize golf and make golf “cool” for girls, because when I first started playing, that wasn’t necessarily the case. Thankfully I stuck with it and found that there is a world of opportunity within this sport. It’s not just about the game itself, it is the whole experience and everything to be learned through it. It’s learning how to work hard and pour your heart into something; it’s learning how to be resilient and overcome adversity; it’s becoming a woman of integrity; it’s developing conversation skills and learning how to hold a real, authentic conversation; It’s learning to network and build high-level business relationships. It’s learning the proper etiquette and how to dress for the occasion. It’s earning a scholarship that pays for a college eduction; it’s establishing friendships that last a lifetime. There truly is no other sport that teaches life skills, instills character values, and builds confidence quite like this one. My vision is to change the narrative of women’s golf by enabling every girl access to this sport and the opportunity to experience all it has to offer.
Behind the Name
Played with Heart was inspired by Colossians 3:23-24 which says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Jesus Christ you are serving.” God has gifted each of us with unique passions and talents, which I believe we are to diligently work at with all our heart. I believe in playing with heart and using the gifts He has given us to bring Him glory.
My hope is that Played with Heart will be an inspiration and reminder to girls that hard work unlocks opportunity!
Golf Pride Women’s Golf Equity Celebration 2022
Epson Tour
How it all started- Sharing My Golf Wardrobe
At every junior golf tournament growing up, the entry package always came with a new golf shirt and hat, so over the years, I’ve accumulated a closet full- much of which is new with tags! (If you’re a competitive golfer, you know what I’m talking about!) I don’t have a need for these clothes anymore but I know that somewhere there’s a girl who would love to have a new outfit to play golf in. I would love nothing more than to share my golf wardrobe with her.
When I was a little girl (and even still to this day), there was something about a cute golf outfit that made golf a little more fun, no matter how I was playing! It’s the look good, play good mentality ;) It was something about feeling like I belonged on the golf course and feeling like my attire met the occasion.
I wanted to package these clothes in a way that would be exciting for a girl to receive- something more than just a “hand-me-down,” rather, an outfit that would inspire her to play golf. I rolled up the shirts, wrapped a hat around each one, tied them up with matching bows, and began looking for places where they could make an impact.
Faith and Fairways
Over the years, my walk down the fairway has been instrumental to my walk with God, as He has so vividly revealed His Truth to me through the game of golf.
Among the most captivating views and beautiful courses I’ve played, God has made Himself known through the beauty of His creation. He has shown me that He is surrounding me, that He really does have the whole world in His hands. (Psalm 19)
Time and time again, He has shown me what I never thought I was capable of, what I could never do in my own strength because it is He who “is able through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish immeasurably more than we might ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20).
He has revealed to me that I can walk the fairways with my same competitive fire, but play with a sense of freedom I didn’t know before. I no longer have to play entangled in expectations, pleasing others, or the pressures of “having to perform,” rather, I can experience freedom in Christ when I let go and submit to Him. (Galatians 5)
He’s made known to me the joy found in working at something wholeheartedly for the Lord, rather than for the approval of others. (Colossians 3:23-24)
I’ve learned that it’s not necessarily about what we do, it’s the heart behind what we do that matters. “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).
The Lord has opened my eyes to His provision of freedom, fulfillment, and purpose which are found when we center our hearts on Him and seek to bring Him glory in all that we do.