WritingHERstory: Valentine Delon’s Resilient Rise to the Top

For junior golfer Valentine Delon, golf has been a part of her life for as long as she can remember. Born and raised in Paris, France, she jokes that her golf journey began “at birth,” after her parents placed a tiny club in her hands as a baby. What started as playful afternoons on the course with her parents quickly became a lifelong passion, one that would carry her across continents, through moments of triumph, and challenges alike. 

At just eight years old, Delon’s life took an unexpected turn when she was diagnosed with scoliosis, a condition that causes curvature of the spine. Her grandfather, a doctor, was the first to notice something unusual about her back. After consultations and months in a back brace, doctors determined she would need surgery to prevent future complications. In May 2019, Delon underwent her procedure, one that could have ended her ability to play golf altogether, but instead, it became her motivation. 

“When they explained why I needed the surgery, I understood, because as you get older, it can become hard to breathe, and you’re going to feel different, because your back is going to be moving differently.” 

The recovery was long and demanding. Delon spent three weeks in the hospital and months rebuilding strength. While friends were playing in summer tournaments, she was relearning how to move. She practiced putting from a modified stance and waited six months before taking her first full swing again. Yet even in those challenging moments, she found perspective. Seeing others in recovery, she realized how fortunate she was to have the chance to return to the sport she loved. 

“I couldn’t go to the beach, I couldn’t play golf, and it was pretty hard, but I think these hard moments mean something and created something in me that now I use when I play golf every day.” 

That mindset – grateful, grounded and resilient – shaped the athlete and person she is today. When it came time for the college recruiting process, Delon leaned into her story, not away from it. She spoke openly about her surgery, framing it not as a setback but as proof of perseverance. 

“I know few people have been through that,” she said. “It makes me different. It helps me never give up.” 

Now representing Virginia Tech, Delon brings the same determination to the course that helped her through recovery. Her surgery taught her patience and that success, like healing, takes time. It also gave her a deeper appreciation for every moment on the course. 

That fight translated into an impressive 2024-25 campaign for the Hokies. Delon competed in all 11 events, posting a team-best 16 par-or-better rounds and a 72.50 scoring average. Her consistency earned her seven top-20 finishes and recognition as a WGCA All-American Scholar. Delon also recorded runner-up honors at the Schooner Fall Classic and top finishes at the Daniel Island and Ironwood Invitationals, helping lead Tech to multiple team titles. 

Since being at Virginia Tech, her teammates have been a big inspiration and have helped improve her skills. One in particular is Emily Mathews, who has been a part of her journey at Tech from the very beginning.  

“I think that seeing her playing golf, she has the opposite of me. Like she put a lot of power and has long distance,” Delon said. “So, it has a good impact because it showed me another way to play golf, and that maybe I can improve these parts. So yeah, it helped me a lot.”

Mathews introduced herself to Delon when she first moved in, and they quickly became not just teammates but friends. Delon is seen as a resilient player and leader on and off the course.   

“I think she's a great team leader,” Mathews said. “I think she's a massive part of this team. She's someone I can lean on when I need something, golf or not golf related.” 

The news of Delon’s surgery was not common knowledge to many of her teammates until after head coach Carol Robertson showed them her recruiting video. Her setbacks are not something that she has spoken outwardly about. 

“Now that I've known her for, you know, this is our third year, I think it's very much internal motivation for her, and it's something that I've been like, Val can do this after going through something like that, then I can do it,” Mathews said. “And our team can do it.” 

Robertson was also inspired by the setbacks she faced and how she overcame them. The Hokies' head coach's first impression of Delon was her competitiveness and the energy and excitement that she brought to the team.

Over the years of being on the team, Delon has developed into a leader, helping the freshmen learn the way things are done on the team, while also learning new things herself.  

“But that part to me, actually made me want her more because I knew she had such an appreciation to get something back that she thought she may lose forever,” Robertson said. “So I just knew that she would be very grateful that, you know, her chance to play golf at this level.” 

From her freshman year, she would get frustrated with her game if she was not performing to her expectations. Now she can refocus from her frustration and play to her best ability, which has brought her success. 

Delon is intrinsically motivated, so setting clear goals for herself for each tournament is part of her routine, which motivates her to succeed. She also works on keeping her focus at each hole she is at, rather than looking ahead at the next hole.  

“She's got a big telescope but making her continually look under that microscope at each day is good for her,” Robertson said. 

Delon’s performance over her time at Virginia Tech has not been defined by her injuries and setbacks that she thought would never allow her to come back to the game. 

“It's that she makes each one of those better by keeping a good attitude when things are good and when things are bad,” Robertson said. 

Off the course, Valentine carries deep pride in representing both France and Virginia Tech. Whether competing internationally or teeing off in maroon and orange, she feels the energy of those who support her, family, teammates, coaches and fans. 

“When I play for my country or for Virginia Tech, it’s the same,” she said. “I’m proud to be French. Being able to go and play to represent myself, my family and my country is something amazing.” 

In every round, Valentine Delon writes her own story—one defined not by setbacks, but by strength, spirit, and gratitude.