Tee to Philanthropy: SC golfer's USCA Journey

As the academic year gets underway at the University of South Carolina Aiken, faculty and staff welcomed back nearly 4,000 students for the 2024-2025 academic year. This year’s total student enrollment represents a 12% increase from the year prior.

Among the record number of students enrolled this year are over 630 freshmen majoring in various programs, with the largest majors being business, nursing, and the sciences. Gracey Chafin is one of those freshmen.

Chafin graduated from Fox Creek High School in North Augusta, South Carolina, where she earned accolades as one of the state’s top female golfers.

“My passion for golf started during my freshman year in high school after attending the Women’s Amateur Golf Tournament at the Masters,” said Chafin.  

Despite numerous offers, Chafin chose USCA for its tight-knit community and its Exercise and Sports Science program.  

“Eventually I want to make it to graduate school and become a pediatric physical therapist because I love kids, they have my heart.”  

When she’s not playing golf or studying for classes, Chafin is working for local non-profit Lil G’s Wagons of Hope, which supports children with cancer nationwide.

She started the organization at just six years old after learning her friend had been diagnosed with leukemia. In response, Chafin and her mother donated their hair for a wig that was specially made for her friend.

Since its inception in 2012, Lil G’s Wagons of Hope has donated over 600 wagons and over 700,000 toys to at least 75 children’s hospitals around the country. Local schools in the Central Savannah River Area like Fox Creek High School and Bryd Elementary also take donations every year on behalf of the organization.  

Chafin and Lil G’s Wagons has even been featured on the Today Show.

“My little cousin was born four years ago, and he has special needs. I attended all his appointments with him,” Chafin said. “For me, it’s not about the paycheck. It’s important to make sure that these kids feel okay again. That’s why I chose my major at USCA.”  

When she’s not studying or volunteering, Chafin is an active participant of Delight Ministries, a Christian organization at USCA.

Class of 2028 Facts:

*Data is preliminarily until official numbers are posted in October*

States Represented:

• Colorado
• Florida
• Georgia
• Kansas
• Louisiana
• Illinois
• Massachusetts
• Maryland
• Michigan
• Missouri
• North Carolina
• New Hampshire
• New Jersey
• New York
• Ohio
• Pennsylvania
• South Carolina
• Texas
• Virginia
• Vermont

For more information, contact USCA Marketing & Communication at news@usca.edu.