Hitting The Links With Mandi McConnell
10/7/2005 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
Oct. 7, 2005
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Junior Mandi McConnell (Grand Blanc, Mich) is continuing her role as one of the most consistent players for Michigan State Women's Golf. McConnell has finished in the top-10 individually in both the Mary Fossum Invitational and Lady Northern Invitational.
"It's been a lot of fun to watch Mandi develop as a player," said ninth-year head coach Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll, "She hits so many fairways and when she gets the putter going she plays real well."
Last year McConnell had the best scoring average (76.97) on the team and she enters this season ranked 7th all-time in career scoring average (77.57) at Michigan State. In July of 2005, she won the 89th Michigan Women's Amateur by defeating Laura Bavaird 6&5 at Radrick Farms Golf Course in Ann Arbor, Mich.
McConnell talked with msuspartans.com about her hot start this season, some of her previous achievements, and her aspirations for the remainder of the year.
Q: How important was it to the team to win your home tournament, the Mary Fossum Invitational?
A: It really meant a lot to us to start the year out like that. It gave us some confidence for the rest of the season.
Q: Coach Slobodnik-Stoll has been saying how expectations are very high for the team this year. How has the team been handling the expectations and the pressure that comes with them?
A: I think we handle it well. We do what we have to as a team and we're still trying to get better because we have such high expectations for ourselves.
Q: This summer you won the 89th Michigan Women's Amateur Championship, can you talk about that experience and how special that was?
A: That was awesome. Radrick Farms in Ann Arbor is a beautiful course. I never really thought about winning the whole thing until about the second round of match play.
Q: What has been the biggest improvement in your game since you arrived at Michigan State in 2003?
A: As a whole, I just try to improve everything each year. After a season, I like to pick apart my game, figure out what can be better, and work hard at it.
Q: What's your favorite memory in these past two years with the team?
A: I would have to say winning the Fossum this year. It was cool because we're a real tight group, and it was neat to see how when one of us wasn't playing well then someone else would pick it up and play well.
Q: So far this season you have the low average on the team and have finished in the top-10 in both tournaments, what do you attribute that success that to?
A: Just working hard and having a lot of positive thoughts.
Q: What are your goals for the rest of the season?
A: Individually, I'd like to be All-Big Ten. I was real close to making it last year so that would be nice. I'd also like to win a tournament individually and I hope we win more as a team.
Players Mentioned
