April 1, 2011
You probably have good memories of your last trip to the West Coast at last year's West Regional, how exciting is it to make a return trip to California for the Pacific Coast Intercollegiate?
SZ: "It is very exciting! The last trip was a little nerve-racking so hopefully this one will be a little easier on our nerves, but just as successful. We actually drove up to Half Moon Bay and took a look around and it is beautiful so we are very ready to get out there."
What do you know about Half Moon Bay?
SZ: "I don't know much, just that is on the ocean and that is where they filmed the movie American Wedding. :) "
What are your memories of the West Regional. You shot a team-best 71 on the final day, which was crucial to your team, and y'all finished early and then had to wait on the rest of the field to finish.
SZ: "We were just so nervous. We were sitting in the clubhouse eating lunch, clicking refresh, refresh, refresh on our phones watching the scores. When we saw we were moving up we kept getting more and more excited and then when the final score came in we all started screaming. It was a great moment but hopefully we won't put as much stress on ourselves this year."
You are typically the only upperclassman in the lineup. Tell me about your role as the senior leader. I know that your experience with the New Orleans course was helpful to your teammates at the Sugar Bowl Intercollegiate.
SZ: "I just try to give them advice that I would want as a younger player. I've learned a lot through my experiences in tournaments, good and bad, that I try to share with them so hopefully they can learn from my mistakes and do everything better."
Coach McCombs likes to call you the “10-foot Queen” and we all saw that after you holed the Big 12-clinching putt last year. What were you were thinking over the last few holes at the Jimmie Austin OU Golf Club last year?
SZ: "Well, coming down the last few holes I started getting really nervous because I knew how close it was. I saw (assistant coach) Wendi (Weise) at the tee on 16 and asked her what the score was and she said we were 1 up on OSU. I asked her to walk with me and just talk to get my mind off of it and she helped me to really stay in the present and focused on one shot at a time. When it came to the last putt I was with Coach and she helped me get the read and we just said if I just focus on "staying in the putt" it would go in, and it did!"
Texas A&M is hosting the 2011 NCAA Championships later this spring at Traditions. How do you describe the course at Traditions.
SZ: "Tough. They can be some tricky pins out there. It's very tight and you really need to place your shots."
How special would it be for you to finish out your college career on your home course at NCAAs?
SZ: "I don't think anyone could ask for anything more. I get chills just thinking about it. It's hard for me to grasp the fact that this is my last year of college golf but to be able to finish it on my home course would just be amazing."
Describe Coach McCombs in one word...
SZ: organized!
What's your favorite golf movie and why?
SZ: "Happy Gilmore. There are just so many funny quotes from it, I love it."
What's your favorite activity, besides golf, to do in College Station?
SZ: "Probably to go out to eat. I love Chuy's and I am so excited there's one here now! There are also some great restaurants in downtown Bryan."