|
JGANC |
Sky, you are very active in the JGANC. Do you remember how you
heard about us? |
|
Sky |
My dad found out about the organization soon after we moved
to Rocklin in 2001. |
|
JGANC |
So how long have you been a member? |
|
Sky |
This makes 5 years. |
|
JGANC |
Over these years you've played lots of events. Which one is the
favorite? |
|
Sky |
The Diablo Grande match play event is my favorite. |
|
JGANC |
That would be the JGANC/NCPGA Championships in Patterson. Thinking
about the many other events which one did you enjoy the most
and why? |
|
Sky |
The 2005 San Joaquin Valley because of my first win of the
season. |
|
JGANC |
A win always makes a tournament more enjoyable. How long have
you been playing golf anyway? |
|
Sky |
I've been playin 11 years. I started swing plastic clubs in
my backyard after watching my dad. Then I started playing on
the course at age 4 and began competition at age 6. |
|
JGANC |
Sounds like you were a seasoned player by age 7. Since you've
been so successful, how often do you practice? |
|
Sky |
I work on golf 4 to 5 times a week. |
|
JGANC |
If you could improve the JGANC, what would it be? |
|
Sky |
I would suggest more tournaments closer to Sacramento. |
|
JGANC |
Now that one makes me smile. We have the City Junior Easter,
the David Oxley, Insurance Brokers, the Sacramento County, El
Macero, Phil Marskey and the State Fair right there, and that's
not mentioning Bill Krause less that 30 miles away. But I have
to give you credit for trying. You know that many of our juniors
would trade places with you any day.....
Besides golf, Sky, what other activities do you enjoy? |
|
Sky |
I play football and basketball for my high school. |
|
JGANC |
Well, you are quite an athlete. Thanks for the interview. We'll
be watching for your next win. |
|
JGANC |
Dorothy, you have been a JGANC member for many years. You are
now following in the footsteps of your sister, Rachel. How has
she played a role in your golf? |
|
Dorothy |
I actually started following in my sister's golf footsteps
from my stroller back when she began playing in tournaments.
She was ten and I was not quite three years old. As I got older,
she and I became regular playing and practice partners competing
with each other on the practice range and on the golf course.
She has been my caddie twice at the USGA Junior Girls Qualifier.
Having watched many, many rounds of her golf, I learned a lot
about being in competitive situations. This year marks my 10th
year playing in tournaments, 7 of them in the 11 & Under
division. |
|
JGANC |
That's really remarkable, Dorothy. I hope Rachel realizes she
was quite a model for you. You've been a JGANC for over nine
years. You are the perfect person to ask how can the JGANC improve |
|
Dorothy |
Well, I think it would be great if email addresses of the
other players were made available to the JGANC members. It would
be nice to be able to keep in touch with people I play with.
I sometimes forget to ask them for theirs before we leave and
it would be great to just have them handy. |
|
JGANC |
That's a good idea and I know it would be nice to be able to
get in touch with one another. Only problem being is how often
people change their email address going with different servers.
We have a hard time getting members to let us know when they
move, so updating email addresses would be a problem. Let me
think about this one....who knows maybe we can work something
out.
Well, 2006 is here. What are your expectations for the year? |
|
Dorothy |
I like to focus on goals rather than expectations. At the
start of the year, I sat down with my coach, Pat Shea, and we
discussed my goals for this year. He had me write them down and
tape the paper to my bathroom mirror. Each day when I comb my
hair and brush my teeth, I am reminded of what I want to achieve.
I hope to qualify for USGA Junior Girls Amateur, win a premier
tournament, make it on to a team event for JGANC and be known
as the "#1 putter" and the "up-and-down queen." |
|
JGANC |
Funny, I usually ask juniors what are their goals for the year.
This time I changed the word to "expectations" and
you got me back on track with goals. You have some wonderful
goals and I love the idea of putting them on your bathroom mirror.
Who knows, you might start a trend here.
So, if you are planning to be our #1 putter and a queen too,
tell me how often do you practice. These lofty goals will require
lots of preparation time. |
|
Dorothy |
I usually practice about five days a week, spending more than
half my time on my short game. I am currently working on the
mental parts of my game, too. One of my regular routines before
playing in a tournament round is to pray with my mom and dad
before I go out and play. |
|
JGANC |
What do you think is the biggest strength of your game? |
|
Dorothy |
I think a strong part of my game is my long game. I am now
working on bringing my short game and putting up to an equally
strong level. I also thrive in competitive situations and I think
that is my greatest strength. |
|
JGANC |
If you have that competitive drive, you will go far in this game.
That's something you really can't practice. You either have it
or you don't. I feel that "up-and-down queen" title
a reality before too long. Before we close, why don't you tell
us a bit about Dorothy that our members might not know. |
|
Dorothy |
I'd like JGANC members to know that there is more to me than
just being a golfer. I am a singer and have been singing in choirs
since I was three years old. I currently sing with the Coram
Deo Chorus (homeschool choir) and the adult celebration choir
of my church. This spring I had the role of the godmother in
the musical, Cinderella. I have been studying piano since I was
five years old and have been studying the organ for two years.
I am a homeschooled student and my favorite subjects are science
and English. I like playing with my two dogs and spending time
with my family and friends. |
|
JGANC |
You are certainly a well-rounded young lady. I also want to thank
you for your thoughtful answers. You took time with it rather
than just answering with one sentence (a teacher always love
that!). This has been very enjoyiable and we've learned so much
about you. Thanks, Dorothy. |
|
JGANC |
Derek, you have been a member of the JGANC for five years. That's
pretty amazing when you consider you are just 11 years old. You've
been very successful. What are your goals for the 2006 season? |
|
Derek |
My goals for 2006 is to practice harder and to achieve even
par or better. |
|
JGANC |
You are a hard worker so I think you'll achieve this goal. Since
you play so many of our JGANC tournaments, which one is your
favorite? |
|
Derek |
My favorite is Castlewood. |
|
JGANC |
That seems to be a pretty common answer. Since you've been involved
in the JGANC so long, what is the best thing about it? |
|
Derek |
I like having the opportunity to play different golf courses
and making new friends. |
|
JGANC |
Although making new friends is the most important aspect of the
JGANC, our juniors are so lucky to play such outstanding courses.
How did you start playing golf anyway? |
|
Derek |
I received a set of plastic golf clubs from my grandparents
at the age of two. Ever since that day, I have grown to like
the game. |
|
JGANC |
Leave it to grandparents.....glad they got you started. So you're
11 and what year in school are you? |
|
Derek |
I'm a fifth grader. |
|
JGANC |
Next stop 6th grade where you'll rule the school. I'm sure you
are a popular guy at school. Tell me who is your favorite PGA
star? |
|
Derek |
My favorite PGA star is Tiger Woods because he never gives
up. |
|
JGANC |
I've watched you play and you never give up either. Tiger is
a good model for you. Besides golf, what other activities do
you enjoy? |
|
Derek |
Besides golf, I play basketball and I love to go fishing. |
|
JGANC |
Fishing, no less. Well, that is quite a combination. You are
a very interesting and talented young man. Thanks for the interview
Derek and good luck to you in the 2006 season. |
