DURHAM, N.C.– 
A long-time resident of Orlando, Florida, Shutt’s connection to the team began at the 2004 NCAA Regional in Florida, where he witnessed not just the team’s exceptional talent but also their character. This quality left a lasting impression on him. He says that those attributes have never wavered and have continued year in and year out.
“That year the team played the NCAA Regionals at Mission Inn Golf Resort located in Howey-in-the-Hills (It is over 100 years old and continues to host many events), said Shutt. “One of Duke’s best players and a member of the Duke Athletics Hall of Fame was Virada Nirapathpongporn, better known as “Oui.” This was the final round and “Oui” had an uncharacteristic bad round. After the round a friend and I were standing near the scoreboard near the 18th green. “Oui” walked the 30-40 yards from the clubhouse to thank us for coming out and supporting the team. That sportsmanship convinced me that I wanted to be a supporter.”
Inspired by that moment, Shutt made it his mission to support the Blue Devils wherever they play. Since retiring, he has devoted a significant portion of his time to following the team, attending as many as eight tournaments each year. In the 2015–16 season alone, Shutt attended all 11 Duke women’s golf events, a true testament to his dedication.
Over more than two decades of following Duke women’s golf, Shutt estimates he has walked between 8,000 and 9,000 miles — typically covering 6.5-7 miles per day and 20 to 22 miles per tournament. His longest stretch came at the 2019 NCAA Championship at The Blessing in Arkansas, where he logged an impressive 47 miles.
He has been fortunate to remain healthy throughout his decades of support, with only one interruption — missing a couple of tournaments in the fall of 2019 after breaking his patella.
His travels have allowed him to connect with players from all over the world, especially international students who might not have family present to cheer them on. Shutt takes particular pride in being a welcoming presence for these players as they navigate life far from home.
“I get so much out of the relationship with the players and learning about their different backgrounds and cultures,” said Shutt. “Most of the golfers are already “world travelers.” It is great to see them bond in a cohesive team. I take particular pride in their academic successes and what they contribute to the university other than playing golf. I hope they know the great and positive reputation they have created and the respect with which they are held by other teams.”
Shutt’s enthusiasm extends far beyond the tournaments, fostering lasting friendships with many former golfers over the years. A bonus for him has been meeting the players’ parents, though his only selfish disappointment is seldom seeing them again once their daughter’s graduate. His influence resonates across generations of Duke women’s golf alumni.
If you’ve spent enough time around college golf tournaments, you know most of the people lining the fairways are family — parents, grandparents, siblings. For more than 20 years, Shutt has been part of that crowd. At nearly every event, he’s fielded the same question: Which player is his daughter?
Over time, the question evolved. “Is one of them your granddaughter?” strangers began asking. Dressed head-to-toe in Duke blue and often spotted at the same courses year after year, Shutt has even been mistaken for a coach. A couple of moms have jokingly asked if they could introduce him as their daughter’s grandfather, since explaining his true role — a loyal supporter who rarely misses a tournament — can be a bit complicated.
Reflecting on his unwavering support, former Duke standout Sandy Choi shared:
“Every team needs a fan like George (Shutt),” said Choi. “When I look back at my college golf career at Duke, I remember George (Shutt) was part of every special moment. Rain or shine, West Coast or East Coast, early or late, he walked down every fairway and gave me the biggest hug when I walked off the 18th green. I am truly speechless when it comes to expressing my gratitude for the love and support George (Shutt) has given me all these years. He has been my biggest cheerleader and I am so lucky to have met him through Duke.”
But his dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed by the current team either. Recent graduate Andie Smith highlighted how Shutt’s presence has become an integral part of their experience, both on and off the course.
Smith shared how Shutt’s encouragement and genuine care create a supportive environment that helps the team thrive, saying:
“George (Shutt) is a vital part of our program,” said Smith. “We are incredibly grateful for his unwavering support that he has continued to provide to the team over the years. It means so much to us to see him on the course at so many of our tournaments; he is a part of the DWG family.”
Head Coach Dan Brooks also shared his thoughts on Shutt’s contributions, emphasizing the profound impact of his dedication to the program.
Brooks noted how Shutt’s unwavering commitment goes beyond mere support, fostering a culture of excellence and camaraderie within the team.
“We’ve had a small but very reliable posse of passionate fans over the years, and George (Shutt) has been the leader of the pack,” said Brooks. “I affectionately call this group ‘The Stooges’: George Shutt, Lann Smith, Paul Prentiss and Mike Gordon. George (Shutt) has led by example. He has logged many thousands of miles, driving, flying and most importantly, walking with us every step of the way. It really would be fun to get an estimated total number of miles logged by George (Shutt) over these many decades; it would be a lot. Age has hardly slowed him down; he is a very important part of what we do. He is a constant member of our team.”
But beyond the humor lies a deeper appreciation for the unique community surrounding Duke women’s golf.
For Shutt, it’s the relationships and sense of camaraderie that make the experience truly special.
“They’re not competing against each other — they’re playing the course,” said Shutt. “Many of these girls have grown up playing junior golf together, so the friendships are genuine.”
When asked what he loves most about Duke women’s golf, Shutt’s answer was both heartfelt and simple: The people.
“It’s the people,” added Shutt. “The players, the coaches, even the staff — they’re what make this team extraordinary. Watching them grow, succeed and support each other on and off the course is an incredible thing to witness.”
The program means so much to Shutt that he has even passed down the love for Duke women’s golf to his daughter, Debbie Smythe. Over the last three years, Smythe has started making various trips to watch the Blue Devils play along with her father. She is quickly realizing what hooked her father to the Duke program.
“For the past 21 years, I have listened to Daddy tell stories about the Duke women’s golf team,” said Smythe. “Basically, there isn’t a statistic he does not know, where they all are today, who is playing where and on what tour. He maintains contact with several of the former players as well as follows the current players.”
“Two years ago, I said to myself, it is time to find out what this is all about and what a better way to spend time with my dad,” added Smythe. “So, in the spring of 2024, I decided that I would go to Wilmington, N.C., for the ACC Championship to see what this was all about. Needless to say, he was so excited. Not only did I decide to come, however; three girlfriends decided to come as well. Now Daddy is even more excited as unbeknownst to him we made hats that had DDD which stood for Daddy Duke Day. Coach Brooks saw and met the four of us and now we have become the Fab 4. It was the beginning of seeing how happy following Duke made Daddy and how loved he is not only by the team, but the entire collegiate golf community. I then decided to join him in the fall in Minnesota for the ANNIKA Intercollegiate and that is where I discovered that this really gives him purpose. At this point, I am now personally invested in the team. I have since been back to Minnesota and to a few other tournaments with plans to attend more.”
As Duke women’s golf continues to build its storied legacy, it’s clear that fans like the Shutt family play an integral role in the team’s success. His unwavering support and passion for the program embody the spirit of community that has come to define Duke women’s golf.
“To coin a phrase from Daddy, to make a long story short, with our love of sports and the outdoors, coming to tournaments with him provides us precious time together to not only enjoy all of the golf and seeing/meeting everyone, but for us to make everlasting memories,” said Smythe. “I am forever grateful for the tournaments I have been able to attend to observe the love and patience not only Duke has, but all of the other teams have for him as well as a personal comfort that he is being looked out for.”
For Shutt, following Duke women’s golf has been a remarkable journey.
As one fellow Duke graduate and rules official once told him, “There is no such thing as an ex-Dukie.” That sentiment rings true — once part of the Duke family, always part of it.
Over the years, Shutt has found nothing more rewarding than watching the players transform into confident, accomplished young women during their four years with the program.
At nearly every tournament, he’s reminded of what Duke is and the pride that comes with being connected to it. And feels so blessed to be accepted and is thankful that he can be
a part of it.
As the Blue Devils recently wrapped up the fall season, Shutt was once again right there with the squad at Duke’s tournaments. As Duke prepares to open the spring season, be sure Shutt will be anxiously awaiting the opportunity to walk the courses with the golfers. With the first two tournaments of the spring in his home state of Florida, Shutt will be anxiously awaiting the Blue Devils to play in an event close by.
To stay up to date with Blue Devils women’s golf, follow the team on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook by searching “DukeWGOLF”.
#GoDuke