Home is where the heart is for Mikayla Lacey.

The 17-year-old, Grade 12 student at Port Colborne High School has accepted a scholarship offer to play golf and major in education from Niagara University in Lewiston, N.Y., for the fall of 2024.

Lacey admitted the thought of playing just a short drive from her Port Colborne home wasn’t always at the top of her list.

“For the first little bit I had my heart set on moving far away from home and I thought that’s what I wanted to do,” she said. “The more I thought about it and the more I came across other schools I started to realize that maybe it’s OK to stay close to home for the first little bit and it was a better choice.”

Lacey narrowed down several schools to a pair of finalists with Gannon University of Erie, Pa., also in the running.

“I started talking to Niagara at the beginning of summer and I was also talking to quite a few other schools,” Lacey said. 

Lacey loves everything about Niagara.

“Their campus was one of my big choices. It’s not very big, but big enough that it’s just different. Class sizes are smaller (11:1 student/teacher ratio) and that stood out to me. It’s just who I am and the fact it’s D1 (Division 1).

“Niagara was the right choice for me.”

Lacey is happy to have such a huge decision put to rest.

“I’m very excited. It’s a great opportunity and for right now it’s a little bit of a sigh of relief just knowing it’s out of way and  know it’s my decision for next year,” she said. 

Lacey believes hard work is what Niagara liked most about her.

“They saw some scores this summer that weren’t great but also saw very big improvements in my game over the summer and I think that made them continue to watch and make me an option,” she said. “I think obviously practice and school have helped me achieve my scholarship.”

Lacey grew up dancing and playing competitive soccer along with golf. She chose to concentrate on golf following the COVID pandemic, playing on the Niagara District Junior Tour and working with golf coach John White.

“He helped a lot,” Lacey said of White. “He was always there for me along the way. If I ever needed anything, I knew I could text me and ask him with guidance of anything. He has helped me to come to where I am today and I’m very grateful for that.”

Lacey has a big fan in White. 

“Mikayla is a very talented young lady and a joy to coach,” White said. “She brings a strong work ethic and has a passion for her sport. I am so excited for her as I believe she will accomplish great things in her future.”

Lacey is coming off a busy 2023 season that saw her participate in an international tournament Miami as well as win two events on the local junior tour. She also finished second in a couple of the Maple Leaf Junior Golf Tour events as well as representing Port High at SOSSA (Southern Ontario Secondary School Associations) and (OFSAA) Ontario Federation of Schools Athletic Associations.

Lacey is eager to begin the next chapter of her life.

“I think it will be a very different experience but it will be something to look forward for and strive for,” she said.