May 8, 2003

Special thanks to Kristen Gordon for helping to compile these interviews.

Before the USF women's golf team began competing in the 2003 NCAA West Regional at Karsten Golf Course in Arizona, several team members shared their thoughts on the tournament ahead, the power of motivation, and the subtle genius of Eminem. The Lady Dons continue their drive for the NCAA National Tournament May 8-10 at the West Regional in Tempe, hosted by Arizona State.

Question: I know in tournaments and in competitions there is a strong notion of doing your best and the desire to beat the other schools, but is there competition with in the team (beat each others scores, individual competition)?

Susie- " Everyone wants to play in the number one position. We all strive to do our best and be the best. When one person is doing really well it makes the rest of us work harder to be better." "I know when I am not in the number one position I can do better so I work until I reach that place."

Mariko- "Yes, there is competition, but in a good way. We all push each other to do better. If someone is doing better than me it raises the bar and makes me work that much more."

Question: Since you did so well last year and almost placed to go to nationals do you feel a lot of pressure to do just as well or better than last year?

Susie- " I personally put a lot of pressure on myself last year and had a bad round. I know everyone has a bad round in their career but I was really down on myself because I put so much pressure on the situation. I thought, if I had just had a better round we would have made it to nationals, but I cant think like that. This year I am not putting any pressure on myself and I am just going to go out there and play golf. I am just going to play my game and enjoy myself, no pressure at all. If I do this I know that I will do well."

Mariko- "I feel pressure, but in a good way. We have the best team that USF golf has ever had and there is no reason for us not to go".

Question: How have you improved as a team and why do you think that is?

Susie- "Hugely, a lot of it comes down to working as a team, team spirit. This is the strongest team USF has had in talent and personality wise. We just get along so good and we are a real family. We have a great team bond and chemistry that has really affected our play. Not to mention that the coach is absolutely fantastic".

Question: What do you do to prepare for a huge tournament such as regionals (mentally/physically)?

Susie- "Well, a week before the tournament our work decreases. Our workouts with JW become easier, we stop working on drills and just play, play, play. A week before the tournament there is nothing you can do to change or better your game you just have to practice and play. You have to keep playing to trust your game and work and perfect what you have. Right before we sing our team song which is 'Lose Yourself' by Eminem. On Sunday we all got together and watched 'Eight Mile' to get motivated and pumped up"

"Usually after we are pumped up we have a team meeting with Sarah and go over the course, then you psyche yourself up. Right before the competition we huddle, (head coach) Sara (Range) gives us a pep talk, which is unrehearsed, and we cheer USF. This works for us even though what we do is really unconventional. We follow our own rules and do our own thing. We try to stay relaxed and loose until it is our time, like Sara tells us we, 'hit, find it and hit again'. We have fun and then get focused when it counts. We are always very friendly to all the other schools, which is not very common. We all mix very well together. We are unlike other teams who are very serious. Some people look down on us but it's what works for us."

Question: What do you see in the future for women's golf at USF?

Susie- I see huge things. Every year we just keep getting better and better. In five years I believe that we can be strong contenders in nationals".

Question: How do you guys feel now, one night before the competition?

Susie- "We are all pumped, and all I have to say is 'go big or go home'".

Lyndsey- "Spectacular".