Year: Junior
Hometown: Reedsport, Oregon
Major: B.A. in Communications
Q: You came to ASU all the way from Oregon…what made you choose to be a Sun Devil?
A: I came to ASU primarily to get out of the rain, but when I came on my visit and met the coaches and was able to see the facilities, I instantly fell in love. The coaches are what sold me the most.
Q: What’s been your favorite part about being a Sun Devil?
A: My favorite part about being a Sun Devil is the comfort I feel knowing that my coaches and the staff at the athletic department all have my back and want me to be the best I can be as a person and player. This makes it so much easier for me to relax and enjoy all the other great things about being a Sun Devil!
Q: Being from a small town like Reedsport (Pop: 4,090), what’s been the biggest change coming to Tempe/Phoenix? What’s the best part and something you miss?
A: The biggest change for me was obviously coming to the big city. The school itself is at least 15 times the size of my town. I was really overwhelmed when I got here my freshman year, but I've adjusted and there's a lot of things I like about the city! I can get pretty much any type of food I want, there isn't just six restaurants in town haha. I can go get my hair and nails done or go to the movies and not have to drive 30 minutes. I can go to a mall and not have to drive an hour and a half! So many great things! I do miss the peace and quiet of home though. I'm five minutes from the beach so I miss going and having bonfires and going fishing out on the ocean. I also really miss the trees and the rain. As much as I love the sun here, it's so nice to sit inside by the fire while it pours rain all day.
Q: Last year was quite a season between finishing 5th at NCAA’s, being named a 1st-team All-American, winning your first collegiate tournament, setting a career-low (67) and earning first team Pac-12 All-Academic honors…what could possibly top all of that?
A: I had a great year last year but I know I'm capable of more. This year I'm looking to get more wins and to lead the team to a national championship in my home state at a course that I'm extremely familiar with. I completely believe that this team has the ability to go out and get the title. That would top last year for sure.
Q: Even though you’re just a junior, you are a veteran leader and have the most seniority on this team…what’s that like to go from being a sophomore to now a leader of this young Sun Devil team? Do you embrace that and what — if anything — is different?
A: I would say not a lot has changed honestly. We had great seniors last year but I feel comfortable stepping into this higher leadership role. It feels natural for me to want to lead this team to greatness. I have a passion and desire to fire this team up and get them excited about the game of golf and I want to instill the most confidence in them that I can. That is my job.
Q: Was there someone during your freshman or sophomore year that took you under your wing and made a great impression on you that you now use as someone being looked up to?
A: My freshman year I created a really strong bond with Laura Blanco from Colombia. Lau was and is an extremely fierce and driven person, and I won't lie, I was extremely intimidated by her at first! But, she did take me under her wing and I learned a lot about being a leader from her. She was very assertive and decisive and sometimes a little too opinionated (haha). But she always spoke her mind and I think I really learned a lot from that, because now I feel like I can really speak up and lead positively without fear of judgement. I feel like I have become a better leader because of her.
Q: While your teammates are young, you could argue you have two of the most talented freshmen in the country on the team…how do you expect them to help the team as a whole moving into the regular season?
A: Madison and Linnea are two amazing assets to this team. They are both fearless competitors and it shows in their scores. I think other players and teams are starting to realize after our fall season that just because they are freshman does not mean they are afraid. The freshman are two key players that I know will come out even stronger in the spring. They work extremely hard and want to win just as much as any of us. I expect great things from them both in the spring.
Q: While Coach Farr-Kaye has been a coach as long as you’ve been at ASU, what if anything has changed with her now as the head coach?
A: Coach Farr-Kaye has moved so comfortably into her role as head coach. It's amazing to finally see her in the position she belongs. I think she has taken so much of what she learned throughout her years as associate head coach and is now able to apply them in the way she sees fit for this team. Her approach to the game and to practice is very purposeful and efficient, and I feel like I get better as a player every day under her practices. She's just a realist and knows what it takes to become a better player and doesn't waste any time getting us there.
Q: You’re now past the halfway point of your college career…what have you learned and what would you still like to accomplish?
A: I've learned a lot about balancing school, golf and my social life. One thing that is really important to me is that golf doesn't completely consume my life so I've learned how to take a break and take some time for myself to do the things I need to do or that I love that are relaxing. Time management is huge in college and being able to break down my day and set aside time for school, golf and other things really helps my stress level to stay low. One thing I'd like to accomplish before I leave here is more community service and go to more sporting events.
Q: 2015-16 Arizona State women’s golf team…how would you describe this squad?
A: I describe this squad as young, fearless, go-getters. We have nothing to lose and everything to gain to prove to people that we are one of the best teams in the nation. We are dedicated and we are driven on and off the course to get better.
Read more about the Sun Devil golf team, how their fall went and their upcoming 2016 spring.