COLLEGE STATION, Texas — While Texas A&M women's golf makes history on the course, Zoe Slaughter has left her mark as a trailblazer on the A&M campus.
In 2021, Slaughter became the first African-American to join the program, which started in 1975.
"My time here's been awesome," Slaughter said. "We've always had a pretty great team, hard work ethic. I've just been having a good time here playing good tournaments, playing good golf and ready to keep going forward."
Slaughter is often described by her head coach as the glue to the team - a contributor on the course and in the clubhouse.
"I feel like I can always make a good joke whenever you need it," Slaughter said with a smile. "I like to keep things lighthearted on the course. Some people like to be serious but I like a good laugh. I think it lightens the mood and makes everybody have a good time even if you're not playing your best."
Slaughter's family boasts athletic prowess as well. Her mother, Kafi Slaughter (née Carter) was a track athlete at Texas A&M. Zoe gave that sport a chance but ultimately found another passion.
"One time, we were going to a track meet and it was really hot," Kafi Slaughter recalled. "(Zoe) said. 'I just don't understand why people run in a circle to beat their own time in the hot sun.' I got so upset because I was like, 'That's me!'"
"I tried all the sports you can name but I think golf, there's just a feeling of peace and home," Zoe Slaughter explained. "The feeling of a good shot is like nothing you can match. I kind of fell into it. It just helps to have my grandpa and my dad around to help me and support me in that."
Slaughter's grandfather, Jake Carter, introduced the sport to Zoe. His introduction to golf was much more by chance.
"He was one of 13 (children)," Kafi Slaughter said of her father. "They had no money and so he worked at the local Port Arthur country club as a caddy. That's how he learned how to play golf. He worked as a caddy so he could buy shoes."
Carter eventually earned a full-ride scholarship to play at the historically Black university Prairie View A&M. There, he earned a bachelor's and master's degree in education, while becoming a team captain.
"I have to remind myself and Zoe and everybody else in the family that golf changed our life," said Kafi. "Golf propelled education for our family."
Before college, Zoe saw success in high school at Houston Memorial. With Slaughter, the Mustangs had 3 top-ten finishes as a team. Slaughter was the Texas 5A/6A player of the year as a junior. That year, she nearly captured an individual state title but fell in a playoff tiebreaker.
"She doesn't like to talk about that one," joked Kafi Slaughter.
"It was just a good time. I always felt like I was having a great time on the golf course," said Zoe, whose senior season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. "I think that's something you need to keep in mind is always having fun at your sport."
While she thrived as a high schooler, Slaughter quickly caught the attention of Gerrod Chadwell, who was the head coach for the Houston Cougars at the time. He was just as impressed with her talent as he was with her mentality.
"Supremely gifted as an athlete," Chadwell said of Slaughter. "We've never had to discipline Zoe. She's never been a problem. She's never late. She works harder."
"I just think having the mindset of ranchers and hard-working blue-collar people," Kafi Slaughter said when asked how Zoe picked up a strong work ethic.
That hard work instantly paid off for Slaughter at Houston, where she was named the American Conference Freshman of the Year.
"You get to college and then reality hits and you're like, 'Oh - everyone's good out here,'" Slaughter said. "When you get that gratification, it's like, 'OK, I can do this.' You want to keep pushing further."
The following summer, Chadwell accepted the head coaching job at Texas A&M. As someone who grew up hearing all about the Aggies from Mom, Slaughter decided to follow suit and transfer to A&M.
While she weighed her options, Slaughter kept her cards close to her chest.
"She actually didn't tell me or my husband," Kafi Slaughter said when asked about Zoe's process in the transfer portal.
Zoe was happy to attend Houston, her father Rich's alma mater, but was intrigued by what she heard from her mother's school growing up.
"I never understood what (my mother) meant when she was like, 'Everybody wants the best for you here,'" Zoe said. "When you come here, you realize everybody's on your side. Everybody wants you to succeed."
When Zoe finally revealed her decision, Kafi Slaughter did her best to hold in her excitement.
"We were like, 'OK?' and in my mind, I was like. 'Yes!" laughed Kafi.
After arriving at A&M, Zoe learned she'd be making history on the women's golf team during a meeting with her academic advisor.
"He was like, 'Did you know you are the first African-American here?' and I was like, 'Wow, that is insane.'" said Slaughter with a smile.
"We all looked at each other and we go, 'What?'" Kafi Slaughter said.
"I think it's just awesome to be able to hold that title," said Zoe. "I just want to be able to lead the way for other people and I'm just so grateful to be here.
Slaughter's time at A&M has coincided with unprecedented success for the Aggies. Most notably, the team has made two consecutive trips to the national semifinals.
During Slaughter's first season, the Aggies nearly failed to qualify for the NCAA National Championships. Texas A&M needed to make up six strokes during the final round of its NCAA Regional to advance. That day, Slaughter shot the fourth-best round in school history (-7, 65) to help A&M make the cut.
Last year, Slaughter set a school record during a 54-hole tournament, posting a score of -18 while she captured the ICON Invitational title.
Slaughter also had a crowning moment at last spring's SEC Championship. On the third playoff hole, she had a chance to clinch the deciding match against Mississippi State in the final.
"It was insane because we always talk about it out here," Slaughter said with a chuckle. "We're like, 'Pretend this putt is for SECs,' and then it actually was."
Slaughter sank her three-foot putt and gave Texas A&M its first SEC title since 2015.
"I wanted to do it for my team," Slaughter said. "They deserve it more than anybody. I think it was just awesome to have that moment and give that to them."
Slaughter hopes her legacy can inspire others - not just golfers, but anyone who may feel like an outsider.
"I think it's an extra push when you're out here practicing. You not only want to do it for yourself - do it for other little Black girls who want to look up to you," said Slaughter.
"If you're wanting to do something different, Zoe's always been good at saying 'Just go do it,'" said Kafi Slaughter. "There's no fear. You can't teach that but you can certainly gift it to others."
"You can do the same thing as anyone else. At the end of the day, you have just as much talent and it's just about reminding yourself that you have that," said Zoe Slaughter. "Never let yourself down and never let yourself get down."
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