Indiana University Athletics
Off The Course: Lauren Giesecke
4/17/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
April 17, 2008
Indiana University freshman Lauren Giesecke got her first taste of collegiate competition last week as she competed in the Indiana Invitational at Crooked Stick Golf Club in Carmel, Ind.
Still relatively new to the game of golf, Giesecke went out and carded rounds of 77 and 78 on the tough par-72, 6,030-yard course. Competing as an individual, she finished the tournament tied for 64th with a three-round score of 243 (77-78-88).
With the tournament behind her, Giesecke recently discussed what it was like to take her game to the next level.
What were your thoughts as you headed into your first collegiate tournament?
"I was pretty nervous, but my team helped me a lot. Throughout the whole season they kept telling me I would get better and I would do fine. I knew with them behind me I would do well, and I did."
What are some specific things your teammates helped you with as you took to the course for the first time?
"(They helped me with) pretty much everything. They helped me with the yardage book. Laura (Nochta) and Anita (Gahir) helped me during the practice round, telling me where not to go, where to go, how to hit certain shots, how to conduct myself on the course and what to do when I got there. I thank them for that."
What was the biggest difference you noticed between a high school tournament and a college tournament?
"There was a huge difference. High school is so much more laid back and all these girls are out there to win it in college and you can see the determination in their eyes. They want to win and want to be out there. In high school (golf) was something to do to socialize and was much more relaxed."
Did you surprise yourself at all that first day when you went out and shot a 77?
"I did. I had no idea I was going to shoot that. It was really nice, though. I was figuring in the 80s somewhere, but I guess I am getting better. It was a good experience."
Being that you are still relatively new to the sport, how much of a confidence booster was that first round?
"It was a huge confidence booster. I know everyone has been telling me I have been doing so much better and I believed them, but I really had to see it to truly believe it."
What was the most fun part of getting out there and playing your first collegiate tournament?
"The entire thing, from getting packed in the car to head up there, to the ride home. It was all so much fun and I can't wait to do it again."
As your freshman season winds down, what have you enjoyed most about your time at Indiana?
"Probably the girls. This is a really good team to be with and I am glad I can be a part of it. They are all so nice and helpful. We just work really well as a team."
Players Mentioned
