Chipping and Putting with Ali Stinson
9/16/2004 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
After kicking off the first tournament of her second season, University of Michigan women's golfer Ali Stinson wasted no time getting off to a red hot start at the Lady Northern Invitational. Along with helping the Wolverines to probably what is the program's most prominent tournament win, she had a career-besting weekend as she had a career-best finish (5th), 54-hole total (221) and single round total (73, first round).
Known for her steady and consistent play, Stinson has already looked like a veteran leader as she took a moment to reflect on the season opening Wolverine victory and what challenges lie ahead for her and her teammates in her sophomore year. In addition, she also talks about what it was like to play against her sister, Maria, a sophomore on the Purdue golf team.
On getting the victory at the Lady Northern Invitational
It was good. It will give us confidence for the whole season. For Isabelle (Gendreau) to play so well as a freshman and with Laura (Olin) and Bri (Broderick) playing well too, it just helps our confidence level. It just shows how deep we are and that everyone was playing very hard.
On any advice she gave to freshmen Lindsay Davis and Isabelle Gendreau
I know that they were really nervous. I started on the same hole as Lindsay and I just told her that she has 36 holes, it's not that big of a deal if you mess up on the first few holes. I just told them to play every shot and not worry about the outcome. It was there first tournament of their collegiate careers, and it will be the first of many for them.
On if there are any real changes staring her first sophomore tournament
I think this year coming in I just have so much more confidence since I had such a good summer. I can really tell that I have because the feeling was so much different compared to my first tournament last year. I was more relaxed. I knew what was going to happen. Like I told the freshman, I just took it one shot at a time. That really helped me this weekend.
On being labeled "Ms. Consistent" on the golf course
I make it one of my goals to hit the ball straight. I don't like taking stupid strokes like hitting out of the trees or something like that. That is my goal each round is to just stay consistent and down the middle.
On playing with sister, Maria, at the Lady Northern
We play with each other every day (during the summer), but it is kind of neat to see each other in college because it isn't every week that we see each other. We have always been very competitive so seeing her play or playing against her really isn't that strange to me. But I had a good time seeing her.
On the adjustments from being a freshman to a sophomore
Last year was definitely an adjustment for me. I had to get used to not being at home at first, but you get adjusted to that too. Coming back this year I am used to it and I know where to go, so getting back has just been fun. It is nice to see everyone, start classes and get going with the season.
