Where Are They Now: Tina Miller Lloyd
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Welcome to another edition of our “Where Are They Now” women’s golf series on HurricaneSports.com. For the last four weeks, we have been tracking downformer Hurricane golfers and chronicling their lives since leaving theUniversity of Miami. Our next UM alum is decorated 2005 graduate Tina MillerLloyd.
If you are a former Hurricane golfer and are interested in participating in our series, please contact UM athletic communications assistant Rickey Vela at r.vela@umiami.edu with the subject line “Where Are They Now.” Be sure to check out our previous features as well.
Name: Tina Miller Lloyd
Years attended UM: 2001-2005
Degree earned (if any): B.A.in studio art graphic design with a minor in marketing
Awards: Member of Universityof Miami’s Iron Arrow Honor Society (2004), 2003 CRSS (Center for Research onSport in Society) Scholar Athlete Award, 2005 Women in Sport and Society BabeZaharias Female Athlete of the Year, 2004 Sports Illustrated Faces in the Crowd,seven collegiate victories including 2003 Big East Championships, UM record holderfor most Top 10 finishes (26)
Where do you live now and whatare you up to these days?
I have settled in Tampa, Fla., where I’m currently happily marriedto Rhys Lloyd (former NFL placekicker). We have two beautiful children:AstonJames (2) and John William (8 months). When not changing diapers ordancing to kids songs, I am a testimonial and success coach aswell as leading all of their social media marketing campaigns.
Soon after your career at UM,where did life take you?
Upon my graduation, I knew I wanted to play golf professionally. I gaveit my all and played in a few LPGA events onsponsor invitations before enteringLPGA Q-school. I played three years on the LPGA Futures Tour and bounced aroundfrom LPGA events to Futures Tours. After two failed attempts at LPGA Q-school,I decided I would give golf one last shot. I became a contestant on the GolfChannel’s “Big Break Ka’anapal” season and then thought, maybe I still had mycompetitive drive within me. Shortly after trying to get back out on the minitours, I realized that I wanted a settled life with my then fiancé Rhys and wemarried in 2009 at Don Shula’s Golf Course in Miami Lakes, which is where I wonmy final college event.
Are you still playing golf?
I do, but for fun. I still represent the LPGA in a few Pro-Amevents every year, entertaining their corporate sponsors, but I havethought about attempting to tee it up in a U.S. Open qualifier maybe next year.
What is your fondest memoryabout playing for the Hurricanes?
There are just too many to choose! I would say – as a player – my fondestmemory was up in South Bend Ind., for the Inaugural Big East Championships. Iwas down and just found this inner drive within me and once we made the turn after nine holes, I knew I could not be beat.It was a time I often tried to refer back to when I felt like my back was upagainst the wall. My fondest memory as a student was byfar being tapped intoIron Arrow – the highest honor attained at the University of Miami. It was a bitof a blur that day, but it was still an amazing honor and one I hold close to myheart.
Do you still keep in touch withyour former teammates? If so, who are you closest with?
Yes, I keep in touch with pretty much all of them. From Camila in Norwayto Jazmin in Paraguay – I try to keep them updated with baby photos on Facebook. Camilaeven made the journey all the way from Norway for my wedding back in 2009. I also remain in contact withLela Cannon, my former UM coach.
Have you raised any children,and if so, how old are they now and what do they do?
Aston James is 2, almost 3 he will tell you, and he loves to try and hitgolf balls and play tennis. John William just mastered the skill of pullinghimself up to standing and crawling, so he has a little bit of time before he and his brother will be teeing it up on thecourse together.
Last question: What advice wouldyou give the girls on the team today?
It is so hard when you are actually in the moment of being a student-athleteat Miami to take a step back and appreciate it all. I can remember running fromworkouts, to class, and then back to the golf course and going to the dining hall in my golf clothes beforean evening class. I was constantly on the go and had no moment to just sit backand relax. Every now and again, as a student, I can remember walking to class (especially my senior year) thinking, I will not beingthis bubble much longer. I felt so safe and secure at Miami…and I knew theworld of professional golf was going to be hard. I would definitely say put in your time on the course, if you want toplay professionally, but also do not allow your academics to slip because aftertour life, a University of Miami degree is held in high regard. Also try your hardest to not only excel in the classroom and onthe course, but also apply yourself to do lots of community service and getinvolved with University of Miami activities to see UM flourish for years to come!
