In the Spotlight: Grace Choi
2/27/2015 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
After leading the Wolverines in five of U-M's 10 events last season as a freshman and posting a team-best scoring average, big things were expected from Grace Choi this season. A slight shoulder injury summer caused her to labor though the fall season, as she competed in three of the four events. Now after U-M's three month break, she opened the spring leading the Maize and Blue at the Lady Puerto Rico Classic. Even though she is not completely 100 percent back, she knows better how to manage her injury and to make sure she takes advantage of all the short game work she did in the offseason. Exploring that topic in-depth, Choi took a few minutes from practice to talk with MGoBlue.com for a spotlight segment.
On U-M's winter break and what it was like to get back to playing again ... "The break is always really nice to catch up in school work. It was great competing in Puerto Rico, the first round of golf since October. It was exciting to get back on the golf course. There's nothing like going out there and competing for Michigan and your teammates in Puerto Rico. It was a really wonderful opportunity."
On if the break was helpful in resting her shoulder after injuring it this summer ... "Yea, it was mostly resting and staying off my shoulder, hitting-wise, but I did work on my putting stroke and chipping, so mostly my short game. These were things that were low impact on my shoulder."
On if all that short game work was helpful in the spring opener at the Lady Puerto Rico Classic ... "Without question, my putting was great."
On if her injury has been frustrating or something she will just have to manage ... "A (Grace Choi): Yeah, it definitely something you want to manage. It is nice being able to practice what you want, but unfortunately I was very limited and wanted to practice. But in turn, it was good when I did have the opportunity to hit balls, I made sure to make every one count. It made me more focused while I was practicing and made practice more efficient. Even though I didn't hit as many balls as I normally would like to, it really had me focused on what I really want to accomplish with each shot."
On what her goals are for the spring ... "You know that is a really, really good question. I would have to think about that because I just haven't to this point."
On the team's goals for the spring ... "We want to play well and win tournaments. We just want to keep working hard and improving. Sounds like coach speak, but it is the truth."
On her evaluation of U-M's fall season ... "It was a very different year in comparison to my first year with four seniors. I was the only freshman. It's reversed now where we have four new-comers and two upperclassmen. So it was a bit of a flip. Even as a young team the fall was really good pinpointing our weaknesses and strengths and improving. We still have a passion for the game and still put up some good scores. We did that in the fall, so I think the spring looks good."
On the best thing she got for Christmas ... "I got some really good things (with a smile). I got some Dr. Dre Beats from my parents. They were nice on the plane. I sometimes get lost in music and now with those I get even more into it. They cut the sound out that you cannot hear anything. I also got some nice boots, which have been very helpful for this winter because of all the snow we got hit with."
Communications Contact: Tom Wywrot (734) 763-4423
