She ’ s a great student , a good volleyball player , and member of the school chorus .

She ’ s also just 13 . Golf clearly is her first love , and she dreams of playing for Virginia or Virginia Tech . Her time with media will come . Writers at this publication and many others will find her story enticing .

This exercise was supposed to be all about her . But as I listened to Wayne Smith I realized that their story is about a dad , his daughter and the green grass that ’ s the canvas for their family portrait . ( That portrait includes Christina Smith , who also has made a huge impact ).

It ’ s about doing right by your child , not forcing them to laser in on one thing to the point of monotony but gladly letting them choose where to go .

One anecdote epitomizes Wayne Smith ’ s philosophy . Four years ago , when he determined it was time to find a coach for Phoenix , he arranged appointments with several candidates .

Don ’ t teach her a thing , he instructed . Just hang out with her .

“ I was more interested in the chemistry between them than what they knew ,” he said .

He approached Butch Liebler . Smith knew that Liebler had coached players on the PGA Tour and college stars at all levels . Would Liebler think he was too good for Smith ’ s kid ?

“ Instead , he exhibited a gentleman ’ s personality ,” Smith said . “ He obviously knows the game well , and they get along great .”

Smith isn ’ t a sports psychologist or a coach . He ’ s in the family landscaping business

. He ’ d never set foot on a golf course until Phoenix was born . None of this might have happened had there not been a deal with a Chesapeake course for free golf in exchange for his services .

“ It was helpful not to pay for rounds ,” he said with a laugh . “ I was big about not forcing her to play . She ’ d get out there , play two holes and be done . We ’ d go home .”

But she always came back , and she showed some natural talent . They were learning the game together , but where he ’ d whiff , she just kept making solid contact .

Theirs was a process of trial and error , Smith admitted . When Phoenix was 7 , he entered her into her first tournament . He knew nothing about junior golf , wasn ’ t aware that the rules of the game would be enforced . He put up $ 150 and figured he and his kid would have a good time .

Then he was told he couldn ’ t carry Phoenix ’ s bag . Then he looked around and saw that most of the players were boys two and three years her senior . Then she hit into a bunker , climbed in and started whacking away until some parents let him know ( not so gently ) that she was being penalized with each swing . Then it started raining .

“ I thought I ’ d made a big mistake and she was going to hate it ,” he said . “ Instead , she loved it , just loved it .”

Smith soon discovered the VSGA ’ s program of nine-hole events , competition that fueled a quantum leap forward . Two years later , Phoenix was among the throng of kids and parents on the range at a First Tee of Hampton Roads event . Former LPGA star Dottie Pepper was there . Liebler , whom she hadn ’ t yet met , was there . Suddenly , someone approached Phoenix . Would she like to close out the clinic with Pepper , hit some balls with her ?

“ I couldn ’ t breathe ,” Smith said . “ This guy is standing in front of her telling her to hit it past him . And she did . Dottie Pepper talked to her for awhile , and has talked to her a couple of times since then .”

Phoenix Smith dreams of playing for Virginia or Virginia Tech someday — and her dad will be cheering her on .

Smith ’ s father died when he was a teenager , but he impressed upon him the value of common decency , dedication , competitiveness with sportsmanship .

“ I wasn ’ t raising him from the ashes by naming her Phoenix ,” he said . “ But I wanted to impart on her the traits my father gave me , not just in sports , but everything .

“ She ’ s very unique , got a good handle on things . She ’ s very humble , but very confident . She ’ s got all of the good virtues that I hoped she ’ d have .”

When it comes to stories that are more than about golf , that ’ s one you love to hear .

Formerly of the Virginian-Pilot , columnist Jim Ducibella is a regular contributor to Virginia Golfer .

THE SMITH FAMILY