Leading by Example: Lois Kaye Go

A typical day for Lois Kaye Go is full of laughter, fluid conversations and creating an atmosphere that is contagious for her golf team at South Carolina.

During Go’s past two seasons at South Carolina, she has established what she calls a goofy relationship with head coach Kalen Anderson.

Go said that she always begins golf practice with asking Anderson ‘Hey, what’s up with you?’ And Anderson will respond with ‘Nothing what is up with you?’

The conversation continues, but Go said that it is their inside joke.

Even with the bubbly spirit that Go brings to the course, success is at the forefront.

“I’ve been happy with my performance,” Go said. “It’s been a good two years for me, golf wise and the relationships that I have built with my teammates. I’m having a lot of fun.”

The relationship stretches further than just with Go and Anderson though. Go credits the coaches during the recruiting process because they have balanced the aspect of being a good person and athlete.

Go is tied in the NCAA rankings at 14th place, and is one of the top golfers in South Carolina. But South Carolina hasn’t always been Kaye Go’s home.

A Philippine native, Go spent her first year of collegiate year at Boston College, but these transitions have strengthened her and helped prepare her for her journey as a Gamecock.

And after two seasons, Columbia feels like home.

“I think of Columbia as pretty much as my second home,” Lois said. “I’ve spent a lot of time here, but then it’s just the people around and the program, my teammates, coaches, everything just makes it like my family aside from my family.”

However, Go uses these pivotal moments in her career to help connect with the transition of the younger South Carolina class.

South Carolina has two out of three freshman that are France and Go said it’s not only a transition from high school to college for them, but also the cultural barriers.

“I just try to lead by example,” Lois said. “I just try my own thing, and then obviously if I see them struggling or need help, then I reach out to them.”

With the recognition that Go has carried throughout her collegiate experience, her hometown also gave her a platform nationally to compete while being a South Carolina athlete.

Go claimed a Gold metal at the 2018 Asian Games with the Philippines and that is one experience she will not forget.

“Just how much everyone cared and how much support we’ve heard from, not only the golfing community, but pretty much the whole country,” Kaye Go said. “It was just an experience out of yourself.”

The honor continues to live on while wearing garnet and black.

“It’s a big deal because you are playing for something bigger than yourself,” Go said. “You’re playing for the team to do well, to bring good stuff about the school that you are representing.”

Go breaks her silence through actions on the course with creating a positive, happy environment for her team. The constant joy and light atmosphere that she brings to practice carries her teammates when they face challenges.

The bright smile on Kaye Go’s face isn’t overlooked as Anderson leans on her to keep things in perspective on the course.

“I really hit the jackpot with LK from a personality perspective and a teammate perspective coming into this program,” Anderson said.

And no matter what, the Gamecocks look to Go in moments of victory and loss.

“She’s just always somebody that any of the players can rely on no matter if they are having a great time or a tough time, or going through a challenging time, but she comes with a happy attitude, a consistent attitude, a positive attitude,” Anderson said.

Go and the other two South Carolina seniors vocally impact motivation and help drive the other Gamecocks while performing.

And at other times, the Gamecocks build their bonds while playing UNO and pushing their bags together to make a table on the long plane or van rides to face their competition. Go said that anytime the team can bond together, they do.

It isn’t just about the individual competition for each Gamecock, Go works with her team consistently. She remembers that her teammates win and lose together in each match.

After all of the rankings and honor that Go has brought to South Carolina, she can confidently say she has left her mark so far.

“I hope that I have made an impact on the team and on my teammates,” Go. “I hope I was able to lead by example in a good way. I hope that that I was able to show them how this was done or this is the good way to do it.”

Go plans to leave her happiness at South Carolina and will leave with a satisfied feeling. But for the future, Go wants to pursue a professional golf career and once again lead by example.