Jan. 6, 2012
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IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa junior Kristi Cardwell posted a 77.6 per round average in her first fall under head coach Megan Menzel. Cardwell recently sat down with hawkeyesports.com and answered questions about her fall season and her expectations for the spring, which will begin Feb. 19 at the Claud Jacobs Invitational in Victoria, Texas.
You shot the team’s only sub-par round this fall at the Lady Northern. What was working for you that round?
“I didn’t shoot that bad the first round and then coming into the second round I just tried to keep it going and it worked well. Everything was going well. I was making putts and hitting fairways and greens.”
You shot back-to-back eagles at the Betsy Rawls Longhorn Invitational. What kind feeling is it to post eagles on back-to-back holes?
“I never had back-to-back eagles before, but it was a really awesome feeling. I was probably overly excited. Over the summer I shot an eight under par. I had a double eagle and an eagle in one round, that was fun.”
What are your goals for the spring season?
“Winning a tournament individually.”
The team gets to travel to Texas, Arizona and Hawaii this spring. How excited are at the opportunity to travel?
“Very excited. I’ve actually never been to Hawaii before, so it will be interesting.”
What impresses you the most about coach Menzel? What was your first impression when you met her?
“My first impression was that she was the nicest person ever over the phone. What impresses me most about her is she’s nothing but positive. Everything she says is always positive. It just keeps your head on right.”
All of your tournaments are away from Iowa City, what do you do to keep yourself entertained during road trips?
“We have our iPods, some people bring movies, others bring their homework. We do have study hours on the road. We usually don’t have a lot of time — it’s normally sleeping, eating and golf.”
What has been the best thing about being a student-athlete at Iowa?
“All the perks that we have. We’re special to even have a strength coach, a coach, just the little things that we get to do.”
If you could play a round of golf with anyone, who would it be? Why?
“I would love to play a round with my grandpa because he got me started with golf, and I have yet to play a round with him.”
What is the best golf shot you have ever hit?
“Over the summer, I had a double eagle on a par five. I was in the fairway and knocked it in from there.”
If you could give one golf tip, what would it be?
“Always be here and now and don’t focus on the past or the future. Stay in the moment.”
What person has been the most influential on your golf game?
“My dad. He’s always been there for me and he got me a mental skills coach, which is really nice because I need it. He’s always on top of my game for me. He’s been there to support me through everything.”
What do you do in your spare time off the golf course?
“I like to clean. I hate shopping so I don’t shop. I watch a lot of movies, I have a lot.”
What is your best golf memory at Iowa?
“Sophomore year at our home tournament when I finished third overall. It was exciting because both of my parents were there together to watch.”