Donna Helms was born in a small town in Piedmont North Carolina. Being a child of the '60s, she was very defiant and curious. She questioned everything, especially her high school years. At age 30 she received a full golf scholarship to Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. She soon realized that having a family and traveling with a golf team was unrealistic. However, her love of sports, especially golf, kept her in the industry. She became a PGA Professional and retired as a Life Member of the PGA of America.