Finding His Swing at Purdue

Jaylin Payne (Senior, Agribusiness; Mellott, IN) is enjoying his favorite hobby as a member of the Purdue Club Golf Team. He picked up his passion for the game during COVID. Jaylin started his freshman year of high school playing number 5 on the JV team and finished the year as number 5 on the varsity team.

During the next three years of high school, he bounced between the 1st and 2nd positions—even hitting a hole-in-one during his junior year at his home golf course. Jaylin wanted to continue to pursue this passion as a Boilermaker and found the Purdue Club Golf Team.

Photo of Payne swinging from behind dressed in black polo and khaki shorts Payne dressed in a a bright pink and orange polo and gray shorts kicking up a golf ball Side view of Payne after a golf swing dressed in a black polo and khaki shorts

As a third-year student with senior standing, Jaylin has played with the team four of his five semesters. He stepped away last spring to return to his former high school, Fountain Central, and teach their middle school team. As a member of the Purdue Club Golf Team, Jaylin has played at several courses across the area—Ravines, Ackerman-Allen, Battle Ground and Harrison Hills. He has been able to compete against Bradley University, Indiana University and Notre Dame.

Jaylin shared that one of his favorite memories of being on the team was playing in the rain at Battle Ground. He said, “We’re just enjoying the golf course without a worry in mind.” Jaylin added, “This experience has impacted me by allowing me to meet new people, to stay competitive in golf and to see that it is important to be a part of something else. Whether it’s during college or after I graduate, I think it is important to be involved with some kind of group that you are passionate about outside of work and the home.”