July 20, 2009

This marks the inaugural installment of "Catching up with Women's Golf." We will be interviewing players throughout the year, so keep checking back for updates. This week we caught up with rising junior Caitlin McDonald. McDonald played in all but one event for the Lady Tigers last season, with a best finish of 47th at the Conference USA Women's Golf Championship.

Q: How's the summer going for you? What all are you doing to get ready for the upcoming season?

"The summer's going well; it's going by really fast. I've just been practicing and working out a lot. I've also been trying to get my mental game to where it needs to be in order to be ready for this year."

Q: What made you decide to transfer to the U of M from Christian Brothers?

"Well, I already knew Coach Harrelson from high school golf and I felt that I had a better opportunity to get better faster at Memphis. I redshirted my freshman year at CBU, but Coach Harrelson gave me the chance to come here and play and show what I can do. Hopefully, I can improve that even further this year."

Q: What's it like being a student-athlete. Is it tough trying to balance school with golf and everything else?

"It's very difficult. We get up in the mornings and go to workouts first thing for about an hour and a half. Then, we go to class until around noon and then after that we have to be at the golf course by 1:30. And, then you're there until dark practicing, doing drills, and putting. It's just all day, and then you have to go to study hall at night in order to get hours in for that. Then, you get up the next morning and do it all again!"

Q: What's it like playing for Coach Beth Harrelson?

"It's a once in a lifetime experience because she's played for Memphis and knows what it's like. She's very competitive, optimistic, and always encouraging. If I'm having a hard time out on the golf course, she'll always come by and ask what's wrong and try to help me. She's also very generous in that she gives so much time to the program and us. She comes from such a close knit family and treats us as if we are a part of it."

"Well, as far as the team goals go, I'd like to get our team a conference title in the future. Personally, I would just like to improve my game and make the most of my time here in the next three years and really work on being a team player."

Q: What are your personal career aspirations after college?

"Well, unlike everyone else on the team, I want to do something unrelated to golf. I would like to be a high school guidance counselor and get kids into college and help them out."

Q: What do you like best about the University of Memphis?

"Well, Memphis as a city is home to me. So, growing up I was kind of hesitant in going to school here. But, now that I'm here, I know I made the right choice. People look up to you so in a way it's giving back to the community. For example, we volunteered with the First Tee program and met a bunch of awesome kids that want to do something with golf in their life. And, just knowing that you can help them was a big thing for me. Having the chance to do things like that is pretty cool."