Feb. 15, 2012
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IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa freshman Lauren English and the Hawkeyes open their spring season Feb. 19 at the Claud Jacobs Challenge presented by SCOR golf in Victoria, Texas. English recently sat down with hawkeyesports.com to speak about her spring expectations.
What are your goals for the spring season?
“To have a lower stroke average than the fall season. I’ll get a better opportunity with more tournaments.”
You posted the best per-round average by a freshman since 2006. Coming into the season, did you expect to have that kind of success?
“No, not at all. I didn’t really have any expectations, but that helped going into the season because it kept me low key at the beginning.”
The team gets to travel to Texas, Arizona and Hawaii this spring. How excited are you to get at the opportunity to travel?
“I’m really excited. We’re itching to go the Texas this weekend and see some warm weather. It should be really nice to play on some real grass.”
All of your tournaments are away from Iowa City, what do you do to keep yourself entertained during road trips?
“Our team gets along really well. Just traveling on its own is a lot of fun. We all have a lot of inside jokes.”
What is the biggest thing you learned from your first fall as a collegiate golfer?
“To relax and not think about too many things at once. There is a lot going on between school and golf. You have to take one thing at a time.”
What impresses you the most about coach Menzel? What was your first impression when you met her?
“My first impression was that she was very energetic. She provides good, positive energy for the team. She’s great for the program because we need a lot of positive attitudes around here.”
What has been the best thing about being a student-athlete at Iowa?
“Getting to know all the other athletes. I also really like to work out, so having a workout regimen every day is nice.”
What is your best golf memory at Iowa?
“My hole-in-one. Also, in another tournament I holed out from 120 yards.”
If you could play a round of golf with anyone, who would it be? Why?
“Tiger Woods because he’s had so much success. I could learn a lot from him. He’s the most fun to watch too.”
What is the best golf shot you have ever hit?
“At the Lady Northern Invitational in Indiana I had a hole-in-one. That’s the best shot I’ve hit in a tournament because I had never had a hole-in-one in a tournament. I was having a bad round and then that picked me up, and I finished with an even par from there on out.”
If you could give one golf tip, what would it be?
“Take one shot at a time. Coming for personal experience, I get ahead of myself thinking about scores. If you’re thinking about one shot you’ll have a lot better round.”
What person has been the most influential on your golf game?
“My dad has taught me everything I need to know about golf. He’s a pro himself, so I’ve gotten every lesson from him.”