Q&A With Senior Golfer Allison Fouch
9/19/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
Sept. 19, 2003
Michigan State senior golfer Allison Fouch won her second career tournament last weekend at the Badger Invitational. Fouch shot a two-round score of 144 (73-71) en route to earning her second career tournament win.
She enters her senior season with the third-lowest career average in MSU history with a 77.04 average. As a junior in 2002-03, Fouch led the squad with a 76.82 stroke average. She posted four top-20 finishes, including a second-place showing at the Mary Fossum Invitational.
Fouch and the Spartans will host the Mary Fossum Invitational at the Forest Akers West Golf Course this weekend (Sept. 20-21).
Q: How did it feel to win the second tournament of your career?
A: It felt very good. I went in with some expectations to play well and to win the tournament. I really thought that I was hitting the ball well and playing well enough to do that. So, I put myself into position, and after getting rained out I had a good stroke lead going into the last eight holes. Malinda Johnson (Wisconsin) played phenomenal; she's a great player. She came back and made a lot of birdies and put us in a playoff. I finally won my first playoff and so that was a great feeling. I have been ready for this fall for the last couple of months. I am really ready for my senior year so it was nice that it started out exactly how I wanted it to.
Q: What were some of the experiences that you may have had this summer that influenced your performance at the start of this season?
A: I played in as many national events this summer as I have in my entire golf career. I played in the U.S. Open, the U.S. Amateur and the U.S. Public Links. Even though the results there were not as good, I had an opportunity to give myself some experience at a higher level of competition, which gave me a lot of confidence coming back here to college where I have been for four years. Now I know more about the next level because I've had a taste of it, and so I know what needs to happen here. I really feel like this is where I belong here and this is my last year to make my mark.
Q: What are going to do to help lead this team in your last year at Michigan State?
A: Golf-wise, first and foremost, I'm going to put up every number every round that I have a chance to. For instance, last weekend, the younger girls who haven't played in adverse conditions saw that this is how we do it. We work hard; work hard through the rain and hard through the wind no matter what the conditions. Also, I try to make myself available to them for anything; school, golf, anything that they would need, and I hope that they respect me enough to know that they can come to me, and I love that. I love being a leader and someone that they can come to. I will lead anyway I can.
Q: What are your career goals for after this season?
A: Next fall, I'm going to go down to the Future's Tour Qualifier and this summer I am most likely turning pro. I want to play in the LPGA someday. I want to win in the LPGA and be successful there.