|
JGANC |
Emily, you have had a great beginning this season. I must admit
I have been watching you with your fine play at Sacramento Easter,
Joe Brophy and Castlewood. With this outstanding start, what
are your goals for this season? |
|
Emily |
I want to continue doing as well as I have so far and just
have a good time with all of the golfers out there. |
|
JGANC |
I thought maybe you would say I am trying hard to make a team
this year. I like your attitude about having fun with all the
JGANC golfers. Since you are doing so well, is this the result
of practice? |
|
Emily |
I try to play everyday. I don't really have a routine though.
I will drag some of my non-golfing friends out with me to have
some fun. Other than that, it's some driving range and some chipping
and putting. |
|
JGANC |
How did you get started playing golf in the first place? |
|
Emily |
My dad used to bribe me with driving the golf cart if I would
go play with him. I would always throw a fit and then I eventually
started hitting a ball too. |
|
JGANC |
We are sure glad your dad played this important role and glad
you took to golf as you have. Tell us a bit about Emily. |
|
Emily |
I'm a junior and I've been in the JGANC four years. |
|
JGANC |
Do you have a model on the LPGA tour? |
|
Emily |
I have always looked up to Annika Sorenstam because she was
one of the first women golfers I have ever paid attention to.
She's a great inspiration. |
|
JGANC |
She's a great model for all our gals. Everything she does is
done with class. Speaking of class, what tournament is your very
favorite.....a classy event? |
|
Emily |
My favorite is the Castlewood Junior. |
|
JGANC |
You and many others say the same thing. What a great compliment
to Castlewood. Does it have anything to do with your fine playe
there this year????? Since you have been so active in 2007, has
there been anything funny happen to you when playing golf? |
|
Emily |
A lot actually! What about doing cartwheels in the fairway
at Castlewood? Saving Joanne Lee from her nose bleed at Blue
Rock Springs......and don't forget all the laughing and teasing
with friends in my foursome. I also like seeing friends passing
down the fairways next to us. |
|
JGANC |
You are making us all smile. It sounds like you are really enjoying
the JGANC experience. Before we go, what about other activities
you enjoy, besides golf that is. |
|
Emily |
I used to play tournament tennis so I will always have a soft
spot for the game. I also love to snowboard and ski, play basketball,
volleyball......actually all sports. I love to have a good time
with my friends and just relax. |
|
JGANC |
What a busy young lady you are. This has been so enjoyable getting
to know you better. Keep up the outstanding golf and hope to
see you soon. |
|
JGANC |
First of all Matt, tell us how you got started playing golf. |
|
Matt |
My dad was the one who got me started about 8 years ago. He
first took me out to hit range balls, then over time I began
going to golf camps. |
|
JGANC |
My, you began young. That would put you about 7 years old when
you started. Now you are the ripe old age of 15, the perfect
age for special things to happen in the world of golf. You've
been a JGANC member for four years now. What have you learned
in the JGANC that will help you in this 2007 season? |
|
Matt |
After all the years, I have learned not to give up after a
bad stretch of holes. |
|
JGANC |
You have learned a valuable lesson. This one will certainly pay
dividends for you. I've watched you play and have seen remarkable
growth in your game. How often do you practice and do you have
a special routine? |
|
Matt |
When not in high school golf and not during soccer season,
I usually practice 6 or 7 days a week. I start out on the driving
range and then I usually putt and chip or go play on the course. |
|
JGANC |
I think you are a great example of the old saying "practice
makes perfect." It is difficult for most to practice this
often, but your success shows that practice is the key ingredient.
You are a freshman this year and are on the high school varsity
team. Tell us about it. |
|
Matt |
In high school I expected big, burly seniors who could smash
it 320 every time, but once I played I realized I was just as
good as them. My team made it to C.I.F. This is my first year
on varsity and competing as a team. I am really enjoying it. |
|
JGANC |
I'm sure some of those big, burly seniors wondered, "Who
is this guy?" when you showed them how well you play. High
school golf is a great experience, so different from individual
competition in the JGANC. You are getting ready for college play
when participating for high school and who knows, maybe one of
our JGANC teams in the future. What about your favorite JGANC
event......do you have one? |
|
Matt |
The Castlewood Junior is my favorite JGANC event. |
|
JGANC |
Well, that's not a surprise. That is a pretty common answer.
They do a great job. By the way, has anything funny happened
to you during a golf round? |
|
Matt |
I don't recall anything funny happening to me. |
|
JGANC |
Well, if something does happen, let us know. We'll put it in
the newsletter in "Overheard." Besides golf, what other
activities do you enjoy? |
|
Matt |
I have played almost every sport, but I like to play soccer
and tennis on the side. I also played varsity on my high school's
soccer team. |
|
JGANC |
You are quite a busy young man. We're certainly happy you are
a JGANCer. Good luck to you in 2007. |
|
JGANC |
Hi Nick. You are a JGANC veteran. How many years has it been? |
|
Nick |
I've been in the JGANC for 7 years. |
|
JGANC |
Wow, you started at a tender young age. I do know that all these
years you have been known for your great attitude and sportsmanship.
Out of all the events you've played, which one is your favorite? |
|
Nick |
My favorite event is the JGANC/NCPGA Match Play at Diablo
Grande. |
|
JGANC |
That is a great event. We don't have many match play opportunities
so that one is so popular. It won't be long until the event is
here and I expect you to make a fine showing. Since you play
a lot of JGANC events, what do you enjoy the most about the JGANC? |
|
Nick |
I usually play in 9-10 tournaments each year. I really like
the high level of competition and the great courses we get to
play on. I think, when they're playing well, there are a ton
of players who can win, even the overall, from almost every age
group. |
|
JGANC |
You are so right, Nick. The competition is so strong in the JGANC.
Well, you've been very successful. How did you get started playing
golf? |
|
Nick |
I think I was about two or three and my great-grandmother
mailed me a cut down seven-iron. I played in the backyard all
the time hitting balls. I played in my first tournament when
I was 5. |
|
JGANC |
Three cheers for grandmothers! Well, you've moved from your backyard
to the golf course to practice. How often do you practice and
do you have a special routine? |
|
Nick |
I practice almost every day after school and work out 3 nights
a week. First, I warm up hitting balls for a while, then I spend
a little more time chipping, then I spend a lot of time putting. |
|
JGANC |
Sounds like you are following that saying, "Drive for show,
putt for dough." What are your goals for 2007? |
|
Nick |
I would like to lower my handicap by at least one and a half
points by the end of the year. I want to improve my patience
and be even in every competitive tournament I play. |
|
JGANC |
I have no doubt you will reach your goal. Let's change directions
a bit. Has anything funny happened to you during a round of golf
that you will share with us? |
|
Nick |
I once played a practice round with a kid from South Korea
who didn't speak any English. He could hit the ball a mile. I
think he shot eagle, double, birdie, birdie, bogey, birdie, double,
eagle, bogey, bogey, birdie, birdie, then he finally got his
first PAR. When the rest of his foursome started clapping and
cheering he was confused until he realized we were just cheering
his first par on the 13th hole! |
|
JGANC |
That's a great story. He won't forget that round, I'm sure. Before
we close is there anything else you would like our membership
to know about you? Any other activities you enjoy? |
|
Nick |
I like all sports, especially baseball, basketball, volleyball
and football. |
|
JGANC |
Well, this proves you are a "sportsman." Thanks for
the interview, Nick. You are a great talent and we look for big
things from you in 2007. |
