University of San Francisco Athletics

Clare Sorensen has had an immediate impact on USF's women's golf program since arriving on the Hilltop in the fall of 2013 after spending her freshman year at Seattle University. The Roseville, Calif. native was named All-West Coast Conference honorable mention last season after finishing with the team's third-lowest stroke average. She was the Dons top finisher in three of 10 events on the year, including her USF debut at the Hobble Creek Invitational, where she finished third helping the Dons to the team title. She was also the team's top finisher at last year's WCC Championships in Bremerton, Wash., where she tied for 10^th.
 
This season, she has shaved nearly shot off her stroke average from last year and has been the Dons top finisher in two of their 10 events with two tournaments remaining on the schedule. Her 4-under 68 in the second round of the Oregon State Invitational is the lowest round turned in by a USF player this season, along with Vanessa Ha, who crafted a 68 at the BYU Entrada Classic.
 
She also qualified for last summer's U.S. Women's Public Links Championship at The Home Course in Dupont, Wash.
 
"Clare has been a leader within our program since she stepped on the USF campus," said head women's golf coach Sarah Glynn. "She is a great leader by example, whether it's on the course, in the classroom or in the weight room. She has helped change the culture of our program with her own high expectations, hard work and dedication to the game. She continues to leave her stamp on our program for its future success."
 
Away from the golf course, Clare might be found hiking in the Marin Headlands or quietly studying in the University Center. A finance major with a 4.0 cumulative grade point average, she was one of four Dons named as Women's Collegiate Golf All-America Scholars last season, along with teammates Alison Lillie, Emelie Lundstrom and Ayaka Suzuki. She also helped the Dons finish with the eighth-highest cumulative grade point average in the nation among all Division I teams last year.
 
"Know Your Dons" is an on-going feature on USFDons.com designed to personalize the student-athletes of the University of San Francisco. Meet @claree_3, Clare Sorensen.
 
Student Life
Favorite spot on campus: St. Ignatius Church
Favorite class: Ethics
Hardest class: African American History
Favorite place to study on campus: University Center
Keys to balancing the demands of school and your sport: Being organized and knowing when to ask for help.
What experience made the biggest impact on you in the classroom: Getting to know my professors well because of the small class sizes.
The best thing about USF is: Being in the middle of a great city
What does "Change the World From Here" mean to you: With the education we receive here at USF we are now empowered to make an impact on others' lives. So we should do the best we can to be positive influences on others with what we have learned.
 
Pop Culture
Favorite TV show: Friends
Favorite movie: Argo
Last book you read: Deception Point by Dan Brown
Favorite singer or band: Maroon 5
What's on your iPod: Pop and Country
 
Team
Top skill: Patience
One thing you are always working on: My short game.
One skill of one of your teammates you wish you had: Alison Lillie's fairway accuracy.
Funniest teammate: Michelle Condry
Favorite saying: "Whatever you are, be a good one" – Abraham Lincoln
Favorite bonding moment with your team: Playing Cypress Point Golf Club
 
Sports
Sports teams I follow: San Francisco Giants
Favorite athlete: Jack Nicklaus
Favorite athletic memory: Qualifying for the U.S. Women's Amateur
Biggest sports thrill: Coming from behind to win a tournament.
My second-best sport: Basketball
Sport I'm the worst at: Volleyball
Earliest sports memory: Going to swim meets with my whole family in the summer
First sport you ever played: Soccer
 
Golf
Home course: Morgan Creek Golf Course in Roseville
Favorite course: Cypress Point Golf Club
Course you'd most like to play: Augusta National
Introduction to golf: My grandpa gave my brother and I lessons for a Christmas present one year. He wanted us to learn so he would have someone to play with.
Dream foursome: Jack Nicklaus, Juli Inkster, Ben Hogan and myself.
Your perfect golf getaway: To play all of the courses along 17-Mile Drive in Monterey.
Favorite golfer: Rory McIlroy
One part of your game you are always working on: Performing under pressure
Constant swing thought: Swing with confidence
Favorite major tournament to watch: The Masters
Best tip for the weekend golfer: Set up a good foursome. Golf is always more enjoyable when you play with fun people.
 
Food and Travel
Favorite meal: Steak
Favorite ethnic cuisine: Italian
Favorite snack food: Popcorn
Least favorite food: Fish
Who is the best cook on the team: Emelie Lundstrom
If stranded on an island, what would you bring with you: My phone
Place you'd most like to visit someday: Italy
Favorite place in or around San Francisco: Marin Headlands
Describe your perfect day in San Francisco: Taking a ferry around the bay when it is sunny
 
This and That
Hobbies: Hiking and reading
Pick three words to describe yourself: Loyal, optimistic, determined
Early riser or night owl: Early riser
Something people would be surprised to know about me: I am really competitive. 
Person I'd most like to meet: Rudy Ruettiger
Talent I wish I had: Singing voice
Role models: My parents and grandparents
My parents were right when they said: Hard work pays off.
In 10 years, I'd like to be: Happy and doing something I love.
If I could trade places with someone for a day, it would be: Beyoncé
Three people from history you'd like to have dinner with: Mother Teresa, Ben Hogan and Steve Jobs
Pet peeves: When people whine or are negative.
Cats or dogs: Dogs
Best advice you've ever received: It is important to have balance in life.
Describe your perfect day: Traveling somewhere new with my family.
Describe the student-athlete experience at USF: The USF community is incredibly caring of its student athletes. The people and resources we have are so supportive of our growth as athletes and as people.