Fresno State Athletics
Q&A with Madchen Ly
5/6/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
By: Matt Burkholder
mburkholder@csufresno.edu
GoBulldogs.com
FRESNO, Calif. - As Fresno State women's golfer Madchen Ly prepares to tee it off for the NCAA Regionals, May 7-9, the Bulldog senior took time to answer a few question about herself before leaving for South Bend, Ind. We asked her an assortment of questions, ranging from her thoughts about this week's tournament, to habits on the course, to who her favorite golfer is.
Q: What do you get the biggest thrill out of when on the course?
Ly: Competing. I'm a very competitive person and I always believe that I can win any tournament I compete in.
Q: Do you feel more prepared for this NCAA regional from last year's? What did you learn?
Ly: I feel a 100% more prepared for this NCAA regional. I feel like I've prepared more for this one and I just feel more confident. My game has grown a lot since my junior year and the one thing I learned is to just treat it like another tournament. Yes, NCAA regionals is a huge tournament, but I think I put too much pressure on myself last year because I wanted to perform so well to make it to the NCAA Championships.
Q: Do you treat this tournament like any other? If so, is that difficult to do?
Ly: I wouldn't say so. Like you mentioned earlier, it's just another tournament with a bigger title. Of course I want to play well so I can advance on, but at the same time I don't want to put that extra pressure on myself. I'm just going to play one shot at a time and stay in the moment and enjoy myself. Coach will be with me the entire round so walking with her will help me out if I do get a little nervous or tense.
Q: On a given week, how many practice hours would you say you put in? Did you practice any different to prepare for this tournament?
Ly: A lot of hours are put in for practice. Let's say Monday to Friday, I'll practice anywhere from 2.5 to 3 hours each day, so about 15 hours. I wouldn't say different, but I did spend more time with my putting, chipping, and pitching. It's a part of my game that I've been working on throughout this whole season. Any golfer can hit it 240 yards, but if you can't get an up and down for par from areas around the green, then golf is probably not the sport for you. Short game is where pros make their money.
Q: Who is your favorite golfer?
Ly: My favorite golfer is Jordan Spieth. I know he's only 21, but he carries himself with so much class. He's confident at everything he does and he does so much off the course too.
Q: Do you favor Par 3, Par 4 or Par 5's? Or does it matter?
Ly: I favor Par 5's because I feel like you can be aggressive, but at the same time strategize on each shot, especially where you want the second shot to be.
Q: Do you have a pair of lucky socks, or something you bring out to each round you play?
Ly: Not really, but I do need short tees for the par 3's on the course. I do not like using the tees for par 3's.
Q: Do you have a particular process you go through before you hit each shot? What is it?
Ly: Yes, I just go through my routine each time. I pick up a few specks of grass to check the wind and from there I'll take a few practice swings, and then step up to the ball.
Q: What do you use as your ball marker on the greens?
Ly: I use a Bulldog ball marker! I use it at every tournament. It's neat because it reminds me of so many things. For example, I'm representing my college and my community.
Q: What's the craziest thing to happen to you on a golf course?
Ly: The craziest thing that happened to me on a golf course would have to be at the home tournament my sophomore year at Copper River Country Club. It was the No. 4 hole, a par 5. I hit a horrible drive left and I was worried because there was OB to the left. I walk to my ball and it's literally along the OB stakes, but I was still in bounds to hit it. My ball is probably a yard or two in front of an OB stake, but I noticed when I was setting up to my ball to take a backswing, I was going to hit the OB stake with my club. What do I do next? I pull out the OB stake so I could hit my ball. I hit such a wonderful shot out through the trees. A few minutes later I hear the Oregon State coach tell me that I couldn't take the OB stake out so I got a stroke penalty. It was just a crazy situation, but now I know to not take one out!
Q: What has been your most memorable moment as a Bulldog?
Ly: My most memorable moment would be winning the Fresno State Classic in October. It was my first win and to do it at our home tournament made it even better. Another moment that I will never forget is qualifying for the NCAA Regionals as a junior and senior.
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