Path Fore Success was officially founded in 2021 when two college teammates realized that they were destined to assist junior golfers and their families through the college golf recruiting process. The Path Fore Success team currently consists of two people – Kerri Dice and Lauren Smith. Kerri played her entire collegiate career at Appalachian State where she competed in every event in 4 years. Lauren started her collegiate career at UNCG and transferred to Appalachian State where she finished her collegiate career. Kerri graduated from Appalachian and went on to work with her family in the golf industry. Lauren went on to coach collegiate golf at the highest level for 6 years and brings a ton of experience to the table. The team at Path Fore Success is available to help every junior golfer reach their dreams both on and off the golf course.
EMAIL | info@pathforesuccess.com LOCATION | Pinehurst, NC
College: Appalachian State University
Graduated: 2012
A native of Salisbury, North Carolina, Lauren fell in love with golf in middle school. After making the boy’s golf team, her focus was on learning more about the game and getting better! Once in high school, Lauren was named four-time North Piedmont Conference player of the year and her Salisbury High School golf team won 2 state championships.
Lauren attended UNCG for 2 years and then transferred to Appalachian State where she finished her collegiate career with 2 individual wins and still holds the 18, 36, and 54 hole scoring records.
After staying in Boone for an additional year to become the assistant golf coach and also work with the Yosef Club, Lauren moved to Chapel Hill, North Carolina where she became the assistant golf professional at The Preserve Golf Club. After an opportunity to become a college golf coach arose, Lauren became the assistant golf coach for the Georgia State University Panthers located in Atlanta, Georgia. She was the assistant for 5 years and learned a plethora of information that can help YOU make the recruiting process easier.
College: Appalachian State University
Graduated: 2011
A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Kerri has now lived in North Carolina for the past 16 years. Her family relocated to Chapel Hill while Kerri was in high school and she hasn’t left the state since. It wasn’t until her big move south that she finally started to focus on golf as her future. Kerri grew up playing basketball and soccer until she finally picked up a golf club after watching her dad and brother spend so much time together on the golf course.
As a “late bloomer,” Kerri played high school golf at East Chapel Hill High School her junior & senior year and went on to play D1 golf at Appalachian State University where she qualified & competed in every tournament in her four year career.
After college, Kerri received some disheartening medical news as she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cervical cancer. After undergoing surgery, the doctors felt it was necessary to start chemotherapy and radiation quickly. After a few months of aggressive treatment, Kerri was able to walk out of the Duke University Hospital as a champion.
Kerri is ready to spread her positive outlook on life with junior golfers everywhere and help make their dreams come true.
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I was lucky enough to have Lauren as my assistant coach for over three years of my collegiate career. I could not think of a better person to help aspiring collegiate golfers through the recruitment process. Alongside the knowledge, contacts, network and experience Lauren has gained through years of playing and coaching in the NCAA, she is possibly one of the most genuine and approachable people I know. I understand from first-hand experience as an international student athlete that there are so many factors to consider when looking at colleges, and it can be an incredibly daunting process. I have no doubt that the team at Path Fore Success will go above and beyond to consider all factors and fit each golfer in a package that suits their needs, giving them the best set up for a fantastic collegiate career!
Emily Royer
I’ve known Lauren for over 20 years; first as a friend, then as my daughter’s collegiate teammate and later as her assistant coach. I can confidently say that golf is her passion and coaching golf is her gift. Lauren’s calm, encouraging and approachable coaching style lend to her unique ability to give detailed swing and course management advice with kindness and humor. And, Lauren’s five years of coaching and recruiting experience will give you the insider’s view to the college recruiting process. I’ve known Kerri for about 10 years and know that she’s fun loving and relaxed. Lauren and Kerri work very well together and will give you the one-two punch in YOUR Path Fore Success.
Gayle Yatawara
Learning the ups and downs of securing an athletic scholarship and navigating the college recruiting process can be overwhelming especially to first time college applicants. The services provided by Path Fore Success are invaluable when you consider the potential of securing a full golf scholarship that could be valued up to $200,000 or more over a four-year period. As the former Head Women’s Golf Coach at Georgia State University for 19 years, I had the opportunity to work alongside Lauren Smith. Lauren served as our Assistant Women’s Golf Coach and she did a fantastic job. The players loved her because of her devotion to their needs and her easy going way of helping them both on and off the golf course. During this time, she formed many friendships with other college coaches and these relationships will help her place future athletes in the right “college home”. Lauren has a strong knowledge of the requirements of the college application process, the athletic department needs, the recruiting process and the NCAA regulations. You will be in good hands when you sign up with Path Fore Success!
