From her vantage point at the front of UCR’s women’s golf team, 19-year-old
Jennifer Bermingham can see herself turning pro someday. “But I have to get a degree under my belt first,” she says. “That way, I’ll have a plan B.” Even if she turns out to be the best woman golfer this side of Annika Sorenstam, Jennifer reasons, she won’t able to play professional golf her whole life.

She has another passion: political science. “I just always want to know what’s going on in the world,” she says. “My teammates tease me about it. They’re just jealous because I know what’s going on and they don’t.” A visit to Washington, D.C., in high school sparked her interest — seeing the sights and getting a feel for the history and traditions of how the government works.

Jennifer keeps a close watch on environmental issues, especially fighting pollution and finding alternative energy sources. “I’d be a good lobbyist,” she says. “I could take legislators out on the golf course and talk them into seeing things my way.”

For now, she says, life is great. UCR also recruited her best friend, Allison Ek. Once standout players at rival high schools, they’re now roommates as well as teammates and spend at least four hours each day on the golf course. “What could be better?” she asks. “A lot of people would give anything for a life like mine.”