It’s been almost a year since Tennessee Lady Volunteer senior golfer AJ Newell hurt her back. And, as all athletes know, bouncing back from an injury, big or small, is no easy feat.
Newell, however, has someone on the team this year who may make this recovery a little more pleasant: her baby sister.
AJ and Anna Newell are two sisters who bring some firepower to the Lady Vols’ roster. Born in Tampa, Florida, both were homeschooled growing up, but still played on the same high school team, Northside Christian School. Once AJ decided to attend UT, her sister followed.
“Playing college golf is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” AJ Newell said, “but sharing that experience with my sister is really special.”
“It’s something familiar,” freshman Anna Newell added. “We’re always together. I don’t think I could have gone to college anywhere else that she went.”
The name “Newell” has already been linked with greatness at the University of Tennessee. Both parents of the Newell sisters were graduates of UT. Their father, Robin Newell, threw shot put and discus for the school and at one point, he owned the school record in shot put.
Both sisters possess formidable skill, but each boasts her own specialty.
“I think the best of Anna’s game is her ball striking,” AJ Newell said. “She’s a great ball striker, but, on top of that, she’s very hard-headed. I think that’s a great aspect to have in golf because she gets out on the course, and she’s going to play good. It doesn’t matter if she messes up on a few holes … she’s going to keep fighting to the very end.”
Discussing her sister’s game, Anna Newell noted AJ Newell’s determination.
“Probably her consistency,” she said. “If she doesn’t feel like she’s playing that well, she can still get the best out of it.”
Head coach Judi Pavon says AJ Newell has “come back great” from a back injury which could have ended her career.
“She’s worked out and has had a very positive outlook,” Pavon added. “She looks better than ever now.”
Pavon also can’t wait for Anna Newell, who was the third-best golfer in the class of 2014, to get her collegiate career underway.
“We’ve been looking forward to having her,” Pavon said. “AJ is very supportive, and Anna really trusts her and asks her for advice. They are both very serious about their golf.”
Both sisters agree being on the team together is not negative at all.
“So far, it’s only been positive,” AJ Newell said. “No one knows my game like my sister does.”
Anna Newell added, “We help each other with golf and academically. We support each other throughout college.”
The competitive nature between the sisters has never evolved into a rivalry. Although both sisters agree they want to beat each other, they feel better if one sister is doing well.
“If anyone’s going to beat me, I want it to be my sister,” AJ Newell said.
“She’s either pulling me along or I’m pushing her up,” Anna Newell followed. “It’s kinda like a balance between the two.”
This will be AJ Newell’s last year playing with the Lady Vols’ team, but with her sister by her side, it’s going to be one that she will cherish for the rest of her life.
