LAS VEGAS, NV (May 28, 2025)–For Nya Palmer, recipient of the Walter M. Galyk SNJGA Scholarship, it’s now time to take another step as she works her way toward a future in golf. Next stop: playing at the college level at BYU. –by Bill Bowman, Las Vegas Golf Insider

That will be followed, she’s hoping, by a pro career. Well, Palmer said there certainly could be changes in that path along the way…both on and off the golf course.

Palmer, a graduate from Odyssey High School, played golf for Sierra Vista High School and an accomplished SNJGA member. Now it’s on to the experience of college golf.

“I’m really excited to play golf with new people and compete on the next level,” she said. “I’ve played with a ton of amazing people in Vegas but not a lot outside. This will give me new challenges.”

 

 

 

 

 

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She said the scholarship is an amazing opportunity.

“Every college kid is broke in their own way,” she said. “This scholarship will be a little more peace of mind for me going forward.”

She added that the time she spent in the SNJGA has helped pave the way for future success.

“They always kept it fun…just the way it should be,” she said. “And everyone there was so amazing to work with. No matter what may come up, they were always there when we needed them.”

While the ultimate goal is a spot on the LPGA Tour, Palmer said she’s got a backup plan.

“I’m going to be majoring in biology with a pre-med focus,” she said. “It’s every athlete’s dream to play their sport for a career but I’m going to have a backup plan. I’ll probably go on and become a doctor or a dentist…something I feel secure with. I want to graduate and have a degree behind my name and practice in the medical field.”

But first it’s the little steps forward. Her first goal as a freshman is a simple one: “There is a rotating nine girls and six that travel to tournaments,” she said. “Being on the traveling six is a big goal for the first year there.”

But for now, it’s working on getting better on and off the golf course. In fact, she’s looking to get ‘1% Better.’

“It was really something I had wanted to do for awhile,” she said of her ‘1% Better’ approach to improvement she posts on Instagram. “I always had people ask me what I was doing every day to get better so I thought there was no better way but to show people. I really just want to inspire other girls to really try their best to grow and become the best possible version of themselves.”