Freshman Golfer Makes Big Impact and Has Big Plans Off the Course

Eila Galitsky has big plans. South Carolina golf’s freshman phenom has quickly made a big impact for the No. 4-ranked Gamecocks in a short time after arriving on campus in January from her home in Thailand. In addition to seeing the world one golf course at a time, Galitsky has other plans for navigating the globe.

“It has always been a dream of mine to go to every single country in the world,” said Galitsky, who grew up in Thailand. Her mother, Wasana, is Thai and father, Gary, is Canadian. “I want to go to every single one, and I want to do it on a motorcycle. I just want to drive through every country in the world on a motorcycle and not know what tomorrow is going to be like. I don’t want to have a set schedule. I just want to go with the flow.

“I know how to ride. It will probably take a couple of years to complete.”

Galitsky found South Carolina after playing in the British Women’s Amateur Tournament a couple of years ago where she was paired up with current teammate Hannah Darling, who was already playing for the Gamecocks at the time. Galitsky was already one of the top amateurs in the world and decided to take the college route.

“I was in between as to whether I wanted to turn pro or go to college, and Hannah spoke so greatly about the school,” said Galitsky, who is studying Sports Management. “I checked it out and had a video chat with Coach Kalen (Anderson). I felt like we really clicked, and she was the sort of coach I wanted to have.”

Galitsky started playing golf when she was eight years old and was hooked instantly.

“My mom took me to a golf course, and my first swing, I hit the ball, and I just fell in love with it,” Galitsky said. “I like the fact that you’re never really satisfied. You can go out there and shoot 62 or 63, but you’ll always think, if I could have holed that one putt, I could have shot 59. You have to keep going back to practice to get that better score. I like the challenge of it.”

While some folks have to adjust to the heat of living in the South, particularly in the summer, arriving on campus during the winter months was one of a few adjustments she had to make to college life.

“I had never felt cold like this before,” Galitsky said. “When it started snowing one day, that was the first time I had ever seen snow. That was tough playing golf in all those layers.

“It’s hard to talk with friends and family at home because of the time difference. I do really enjoy the independence of being far from home, though.”

Galitsky started her collegiate career finishing tied for 34th overall at the Therese Hession Regional Challenge in California and then put the collegiate golf world on notice by sinking a 35-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole to defeat world No. 1 amateur Lottie Wood from Florida State to win the Moon Golf Invitational in Melbourne, Florida. She finished with a three round five-under par 211.

“I had a similar putt on 18 before the playoff, but it was a lot shorter, so I knew how it was going to break,” Galitsky said. “I just had to read the first part before the part that I knew how it was going to break. Coach was there to help me read it, so it was a pretty cool moment.”

After finishing tied for 11th individually at the Darius Rucker Intercollegiate, Galitsky helped the Gamecocks win the 2025 SEC Championship by shooting rounds of 65, 68, and 73 in stroke play to finish four-under and tied for fifth overall then went 3-0 in match play.

“I didn’t realize how big of a deal it was (to win SEC) until afterwards,” Galinsky said. “That’s when it sunk in and how cool it was. Just celebrating with the team, running together, and cheering as a team was the best feeling.”

Earlier in April, Galitsky joined senior teammates Hannah Darling and Louise Rydkvist in playing at the Augusta National Women’s Amateur and finished tied for fourth overall after tying the tournament final round scoring record with a six-under 66. It was her third time playing the tournament at prestigious Augusta National, and like always, Galitsky thinks she can still do better.

“The first time I was there, I was 16,” Galitsky said. “I had no idea what was going on and how the tournament works. I was just there for the experience. Last year, I thought I could win the tournament. This year I went in with a mindset that I know I can do it. I just need to put three good rounds together. I tied the record in the last round, but I actually missed so many putts. I could have maybe made 10 or 12 under, but I’ll take the six. It was a good finish, but hopefully next year I can get the job done and win it.”

Galitsky has learned a lot in her first season of college golf and has no doubt her experiences at South Carolina will help her when she becomes a professional.

“You don’t have your parents here to help you with everything, so you gain your independence, learn responsibility, and learn how to manage your time correctly,” Galinsky said. “A couple more college wins would be nice and winning at nationals this year would be amazing!”

Whenever she does have the time, Galitsky can’t wait to get started on her off-the-course goals as well.

“I don’t have a motorcycle here,” Galitsky said. “I don’t have a car here either. I’ll have to get a car first. It’s hard to carry a golf bag on a motorcycle.”

The Gamecocks begin in NCAA Tournament play on May 5 and will be the No. 1 seed at the Charlottesville (VA) Regional.