This week I sat down with golfer Sarah Knapp '14, fresh off of her week as Dartmouth's Women's Athlete of the Week, to discuss golf, the team and her superstitions.
When did you start playing golf?
SK: I started when I was five. I would go to the driving range with my dad in Pittsburgh, but I didn't go because I liked golf, I went because we would get ice cream after playing and we would drive in our antique Mustang. I went because it was time with my Dad, not necessarily because I was in love with the game at age five.
What's something most people don't know about the golf team?
SK: We carry our own bags. We don't have caddies and we don't use carts. People expect that we are riding around in carts, but that's just false.
What's the favorite course you've ever played on?
SK: The lagoon course at Ponte Vedra Inn and Club in Ponte Vedra, Fla., where I live. The lagoon course is the smaller, less popular course, but I really like the way it is set up and there is never really anyone out there, so it is super peaceful.
Do you have any superstitions or pre-tournament rituals?
SK: I always mark my golf ball in the same way, with three green dots to the lower right of the number. And I will only play with Titleist 1 or Titleist 3.
What would be your number one tip for new golfers?
SK: To just have fun. Don't get frustrated, keep coming back for that one shot that you remember and that makes you happy.
What is a typical Dartmouth golf team practice like?
SK: A normal practice would be about three hours, give or take, but golf is super unique in that we can all be at the course at the same time but practicing different things. We're not running plays that depend on each other we're all practicing parts of our games that we think need the most work. Typically, we agree with our coach on what we need to practice, and then there are loops of holes so you can play three holes to put to the test what you just worked on. There is no "typical" practice, but generally it just involves whatever you need to work on plus a little bit of playing.
Do you have any plans for golfing after college?
SK: Golf is a great sport in that I can play it for the rest of my life. I can see myself playing in a women's league, like the nine-hole Thursday morning league, but beyond that I don't see a future for myself in competitive golf.
If you're having a bad round, what do you do or tell yourself to get back on track?
SK: No matter how I'm playing, I'm always singing between shots, I like to call it Sarah radio. Whatever song I just listened to in the van or have been listening to throughout the week, I sing it and it puts me in a good mood. And, if I'm having a bad round, I just try to put it in perspective. One of the girls on our team says a bad day of golf is better than a good day in the office, or at school in our case. We get to play golf at really nice courses with some really great playing partners, so I always just try to put in perspective.
What qualities do you think your teammates would say you bring to the team?
SK: I think I bring laughter and light-heartedness. The golf season can be pretty stressful with missing class and traveling all the time. You're always around the same people, so you are pretty insulated too. I try my best to stay focused but at the same time make jokes and make people have fun while playing golf.
