Indiana University Athletics
Harper Impresses in Debut Tournament
9/18/2015 11:30:00 AM | Women's Golf
By: Will DeWitt, IUHoosiers.com
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Erin Harper didn't feel pressure as she approached the tee for the first drive of her collegiate career.
Listening to music beforehand, the freshman told herself it's just another round of golf, something she has done since she was little.
In fact, Harper has been swinging a club ever since she knew how to walk.
Having picked up the game at a young age, Harper has learned a few tricks on staying calm.
"When I golf," Harper said. "I tend to block out the world around me."
When Harper takes the tee, she does so with confidence as she says it is the strongest part of her game, after all.
"If I ever get outdriven by anyone, I find it very strange," Harper said. "It doesn't bother me, it's just something I'm not used to."
Head coach Clint Wallman said he believes this part of her game is what makes her a special golfer.
"She hits the golf ball a long ways," Wallman said. "She reduces the course size, which is a huge advantage."
For the past two years Harper prepared for her first college match by competing in the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA). She finished her junior career strong by winning the AJGA Memorial Junior Tournament in July.
Harper turned that experience and confidence into a solid performance as she finished the Powerade Cougar Classic, which was hosted by the College of Charleston at Yeamans Hall Golf Club. She finished in a tie for 12th place and ended her three round tournament at 1-over par 217 (72-71-74; +1).
That finish was the best by an IU freshman in a 54-hole event since Elizabeth Tong (T8th) at the Lady Northern Intercollegiate on Oct. 10-11, 2011.
Even though she placed well, Harper is more proud of the team's effort. IU finished the tournament in eighth place.
"I'm proud of this team," Harper said. "There was a lot of competitive schools in this tournament and for us to finish eighth and beat every other Big Ten team was a good start to the season."
Something new with collegiate golf that Harper enjoys is that she is allowed to have a coach assist her as she plays. This is a significant change from the AJGA where she had to play by herself and had no one to ask for advice.
'Before, it was always just me out there trying to figure out what to do," Harper said. "It's nice to have someone to bounce ideas off of when you're out there."
Wallman said he understands the importance of his role.
"The function of the coaches is to be a sounding board for the player," Wallman said. "I try to provide them with the information to make the best possible decision."
Although Harper is aware she is a skilled golfer, she is also receptive of coaching and is willing to learn.
"During the last tournament, my irons weren't super strong," Harper said. "I'm currently working on that aspect of my game, just continuing to groove my swing."
Wallman is more than willing to help any of his golfers and is fond of Harper's open ears and mind.
"That's one of the reasons why she came here," Wallman said. "We pretty much clicked during the recruiting process about the things I could help her on.
"In golf there's a unique coach to player relationship. It's up to both parties to nurture that and make it as good as possible. Erin is very coachable and she listens well."
After she puts in four seasons at IU, Harper plans on fulfilling a lifelong dream of golfing in the LPGA.
"I want to take to the next level," Harper said. "Since I was little, being a part of the LPGA has been a goal of mine."
Wallman said he believes that the freshman can accomplish this dream and is willing to help her out along the way.
"We can give her the tools," Wallman said. "I always joke with the girls and say 'This is tour school training ground. This is where you learn your craft and then you go on to play professional if you desire to do so.'"
With the LPGA dreams still down the road, Harper has set her focus on the current season and has some goals she would like to accomplish.
Her hope is that the team can win some Big Ten Tournaments. It's a high goal, but Harper believes that they have what it takes to make it happen.
"We have a great group of girls, " Harper said. "We all put in the effort to get better. I believe we have a bright future ahead of us."
Harper is also striving to win a tournament as a freshman.
With her confidence, it could come quicker than expected, with the key being her attitude.
"It all depends on my mind frame going into the tournament," Harper said. "If I just go in there and say I'm going to do my best then I have a shot."
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Erin Harper didn't feel pressure as she approached the tee for the first drive of her collegiate career.
Listening to music beforehand, the freshman told herself it's just another round of golf, something she has done since she was little.
In fact, Harper has been swinging a club ever since she knew how to walk.
Having picked up the game at a young age, Harper has learned a few tricks on staying calm.
"When I golf," Harper said. "I tend to block out the world around me."
When Harper takes the tee, she does so with confidence as she says it is the strongest part of her game, after all.
"If I ever get outdriven by anyone, I find it very strange," Harper said. "It doesn't bother me, it's just something I'm not used to."
Head coach Clint Wallman said he believes this part of her game is what makes her a special golfer.
"She hits the golf ball a long ways," Wallman said. "She reduces the course size, which is a huge advantage."
For the past two years Harper prepared for her first college match by competing in the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA). She finished her junior career strong by winning the AJGA Memorial Junior Tournament in July.
Harper turned that experience and confidence into a solid performance as she finished the Powerade Cougar Classic, which was hosted by the College of Charleston at Yeamans Hall Golf Club. She finished in a tie for 12th place and ended her three round tournament at 1-over par 217 (72-71-74; +1).
That finish was the best by an IU freshman in a 54-hole event since Elizabeth Tong (T8th) at the Lady Northern Intercollegiate on Oct. 10-11, 2011.
Even though she placed well, Harper is more proud of the team's effort. IU finished the tournament in eighth place.
"I'm proud of this team," Harper said. "There was a lot of competitive schools in this tournament and for us to finish eighth and beat every other Big Ten team was a good start to the season."
Something new with collegiate golf that Harper enjoys is that she is allowed to have a coach assist her as she plays. This is a significant change from the AJGA where she had to play by herself and had no one to ask for advice.
'Before, it was always just me out there trying to figure out what to do," Harper said. "It's nice to have someone to bounce ideas off of when you're out there."
Wallman said he understands the importance of his role.
"The function of the coaches is to be a sounding board for the player," Wallman said. "I try to provide them with the information to make the best possible decision."
Although Harper is aware she is a skilled golfer, she is also receptive of coaching and is willing to learn.
"During the last tournament, my irons weren't super strong," Harper said. "I'm currently working on that aspect of my game, just continuing to groove my swing."
Wallman is more than willing to help any of his golfers and is fond of Harper's open ears and mind.
"That's one of the reasons why she came here," Wallman said. "We pretty much clicked during the recruiting process about the things I could help her on.
"In golf there's a unique coach to player relationship. It's up to both parties to nurture that and make it as good as possible. Erin is very coachable and she listens well."
After she puts in four seasons at IU, Harper plans on fulfilling a lifelong dream of golfing in the LPGA.
"I want to take to the next level," Harper said. "Since I was little, being a part of the LPGA has been a goal of mine."
Wallman said he believes that the freshman can accomplish this dream and is willing to help her out along the way.
"We can give her the tools," Wallman said. "I always joke with the girls and say 'This is tour school training ground. This is where you learn your craft and then you go on to play professional if you desire to do so.'"
With the LPGA dreams still down the road, Harper has set her focus on the current season and has some goals she would like to accomplish.
Her hope is that the team can win some Big Ten Tournaments. It's a high goal, but Harper believes that they have what it takes to make it happen.
"We have a great group of girls, " Harper said. "We all put in the effort to get better. I believe we have a bright future ahead of us."
Harper is also striving to win a tournament as a freshman.
With her confidence, it could come quicker than expected, with the key being her attitude.
"It all depends on my mind frame going into the tournament," Harper said. "If I just go in there and say I'm going to do my best then I have a shot."
Players Mentioned
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