My Interview with the Women’s Golf team.
Boram Lee. Marguerite Johnson. Erica Rivard. Michelle Hui. Emily Hardcastle. Amy Ninlawong. Kayla Groves. Ángela Ibarra. Georgina Hunt. Luisa Bromberger.
Those are the ten names that fill up the roster on the Toledo Rockets women’s golf team. Study them, remember them, embrace them. Because those ten people deserve your recognition, deserve your praise, and deserve your time. This past Wednesday I was given the opportunity of being able to interview the above mentioned and in my short career as a sports journalist (I use that term loosely) this was by far the best and most enjoyable thing I have ever done. I was able to get a first hand look into a world many of us don’t know. This is the world of women’s golf and I hope you packed a suitcase because we are no longer on planet earth.
They’re a young team, very young in fact with only one senior on the team this year. But for what they lack in youth they gain through unity. These ten ladies are not just a team, they are a family and just like the Jefferson’s they’re moving on up. Throughout the interview I couldn’t help but notice what a great family this group of ladies had become. They were joking with one another having a good time and simply enjoying one another’s presence. When asked if they hung out outside of the golf course I got a resounding yes back. They informed me that they hangout at school, study together and even go bowling as a team. And although they couldn’t tell me who was the best bowler, team captain Marguerite Johnson made it very clear of her ability to make multiple strikes.
Things aren’t always fun and games for the women’s golf team. They do play golf, and they play it well. They were champions of three tournaments this year including taking first at the Falcon Invitational. After a few minutes I became curious, just what is it like to play a whole golf tournament in the NCAA? If it’s a tournament far away (Arizona for example) they have to fly the day before then quickly get to bed and rest up. The following day they have to play a whole round of practice golf then after they return to the hotel, do some homework, rest up and get ready for the next day. The following morning is when the competition really begins. If they’re playing a 36 hole day (which they often do) they have to wake up at 5:30 in the morning, get ready and tee off by 8:00 A.M. After I was informed of this requirement I quickly came to the conclusion that I will not be playing any level of collegiate golf in my life, ever. After the first 36 holes are finished they still have another 18 to play the following day to finish up the tournament. Who said golf was for lazy people.
My hope in this article is to educate the general public on the life of not just a female athlete but an entire team and to understand and better realize the amount of time and effort they dedicate to their sport. They take their studies with them on the road, wake up before the sun, and play golf until their arms fall off. And on top of all of that they still mange to enjoy each other and just have fun with the sport they love. Everyone works hard at something and everyone likes to be recognized for their efforts even if they don’t admit it. Well I’ll tell you this much ladies, you have my attention you have my praise and you certainly have my respect.
News flash Toledo: we do have a women’s golf team here at the University and not only are they’re good at what they do they’re fantastic people in the game of life. They treated me as if I was apart of their team and after this interview I very much feel like I am. So as I sign off I want to thank the entire team for giving me this opportunity as it is something I will never forget.
If you didn’t know about the Toledo Rockets women’s golf team before you do now. No more excuses Toledo, time to recognize.
(Video of the interview to be posted shortly)
May 1st, 2009at 1:08 pm
We have a women’s golf team?