But while she’s on a summer break from competing for MSU, Powers still is keeping herself busy on the course.

On Aug. 9, Powers leaves for Shenzhen, China, where she’ll be competing with four other American student-athletes representing the U.S. at the World University Games.

“I’ve always wanted to represent my country, and golf’s not in the Olympics yet,” Powers said. “I just can’t believe I’ve been given the chance to do it so young.”

Diane Thomason — former Iowa golf coach — has been coaching the U.S. team since 1986, and she noticed Powers’ track record of winning and wanted her to join the team abroad.

Although the five golfers traveling to China will all have the chance to compete individually for the championship, Thomason specifically will select three players to be on the U.S. team. The competition is 72 total holes, and of the three players on the U.S. team, the top two scores are taken to count for the team.

Powers said she’s excited to play at such a high level because it will force her to play her best to win. As long as she makes it a good competition and does her best, she said she’ll be proud of her performance for her country.

“I think she’s looking forward to the experience of a new trip and traveling outside of the country, and … you’re experiencing a totally different culture from ours and playing with some kids who don’t speak English,” Thomason said. “You’re playing a game that’s the common denominator for all, and that’s golf — and everybody loves it.”

Although the competition is on a larger scale compared to her tournaments with MSU, the experience won’t be much different for Powers, MSU head coach Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll said.

“There will be a lot of kids there shooting under par, and it won’t be much different than any other competition she’s played in during the year,” Slobodnik-Stoll said. “She’s very used to teeing up on a big stage.”

Powers opened her summer competing in the 2011 Michigan PGA Women’s Open on June 27-29 at Crystal Mountain Resort & Spa in Thompsonville, Mich. While former MSU All-American Laura Kueny won the event, Powers recorded the lowest amateur score for the second consecutive year at 8-over 224 for 14th place.

“I just wanted to be happy with how I played,” Powers said. “I wasn’t putting very well, but I was hitting the ball so well, (and) I finished strong.”

Before leaving for China, Powers will compete with three other Spartans at the second annual Hooters Women’s Collegiate Team Championship from Aug. 2-4 at Achasta Golf Course in Dahlonega, Ga.

The tournament is made up of two-person teams, and Powers will be playing with senior Lindsey Solberg. The format for the tournament is alternate shot on the first day, best ball on the second day and aggregate score for the duos on the third day.

Whether it’s playing in northern Michigan or traveling to the other side of the world, Powers said she’s looking forward to what her summer tournaments can do for her Spartan career.

“I want to be happy and just feel like I served my country proudly,” she said. “I just want to soak it all up and get a little taste of world competition and see what happens from there.”