SE: K-State Women’s Golf “Focused on the Now” at Big 12 Championship
Apr 16, 2021 | Women's Golf, Sports Extra
By: Austin Siegel
Once you get past the quarantine, the COVID-19 tests and wearing a PPE mask on the course, the strangest part of this season for K-State Women's Golf has been playing telephone.
At a few tournaments in 2021, the Wildcats have competed as a team, with all five K-State golfers playing each hole together instead of paired with an opponent from another school.
It's a pandemic precaution, but it also puts the Wildcats up against a rule that prevents teammates from giving each other advice. Only coaches can, well, coach during a tournament.
The 'Cats have approached this exactly how you would expect.
"Reid (Isaac) and Niamh (McSherry) can be standing there talking to Coach Jared and if Niamh tees off, Reid has to say to Coach, 'Hey can you find out what Niamh hit,' even though Niamh is two feet from her," head coach Kristi Knight said. "It's kind of silly. Because then we have to relay it to Reid even though she's already heard what Niamh said."
In any other season, this sort of thing would be hard to believe. For a student-athlete in 2021, you just add it to the list.
"Niamh and I have been telling each other just to soak up every single second this semester, whether it's good golf or bad golf," Isaac said. "Just soak up every single 'last' that I can."
The life of a K-State golfer, even during a COVID-19 season, can seem like something of a student-athlete cheat code: Go to class during the week and then take off for a golf resort somewhere warm on Friday.
Just this season, the 'Cats have traveled through Florida, Arizona, Texas and New Mexico in order to find warm temperatures and sunshine throughout the early spring months.
Knight was quick to point out that these trips don't leave much time to relax. On a recent trip to Albuquerque, the only sightseeing the 'Cats did was when a group of hot air balloons took flight outside their hotel.
"Then the girls decided we were ordering takeout from Chili's," Knight said. "I know Coach Jared and I appreciate the personal discipline that they've shown away from the course."
As K-State prepare for the Big 12 Championship in The Woodlands, Texas next week, Isaac is focused on improving her short-game and making sure she can "scrap a good round out of anything."
Against some of the top schools in the nation, Isaac will need to put a strong week together for the Wildcats to have a shot at moving up the national rankings and into the NCAA Tournament.
One of two seniors for the Wildcats this season, Isaac has emerged as a leader in the program, but she hasn't done it alone.
"Niamh and I lean on each other a lot. We're both strong leaders on this team and a lot of the others look up to us," Isaac said. "We emit the same energy a lot of the time, so it's nice being able to lean on her during the hard times and feed off her during the good ones."
That mindset, remaining steady whether things are going well or going poorly, is one that Isaac shares with her head coach.
Knight pointed out that the Wildcats often struggled in the opening round of tournaments early in the season, saving their best scores for the final round. This spring, it's been the opposite.
"The good news is we know we can do both," Knight said. "We're really going to see some good results when we start solid and finish strong. That's when there's real opportunity for this team to do something special."
Improved play from some of the younger golfers on K-State will be key during the conference tournament and student-athletes like Napua Glossner have given Knight reason for optimism.
The San Diego native has put together a string of impressive performance in the spring, carding an under-par round at every tournament the Wildcats have played in 2021.
"This weekend, I'm hoping she can have multiple under-par rounds," Knight said. "That's the great thing: I know they're all capable of doing it."
K-State left for Texas and the Big 12 Championship on Thursday afternoon - the 'Cats will practice throughout the weekend before the tournament begins on Sunday.
And no matter how many more rounds Isaac has in front of her as a K-State golfer, the senior knows where her focus will be on the course.
"I'm just looking to enjoy myself, because the scores will come if I'm having a good time," she said. "Stay focused on every single shot and not the big picture. Take the pressure off because I can't worry about the future. Focus on the now and enjoy every moment."
Once you get past the quarantine, the COVID-19 tests and wearing a PPE mask on the course, the strangest part of this season for K-State Women's Golf has been playing telephone.
At a few tournaments in 2021, the Wildcats have competed as a team, with all five K-State golfers playing each hole together instead of paired with an opponent from another school.
It's a pandemic precaution, but it also puts the Wildcats up against a rule that prevents teammates from giving each other advice. Only coaches can, well, coach during a tournament.
The 'Cats have approached this exactly how you would expect.
"Reid (Isaac) and Niamh (McSherry) can be standing there talking to Coach Jared and if Niamh tees off, Reid has to say to Coach, 'Hey can you find out what Niamh hit,' even though Niamh is two feet from her," head coach Kristi Knight said. "It's kind of silly. Because then we have to relay it to Reid even though she's already heard what Niamh said."
In any other season, this sort of thing would be hard to believe. For a student-athlete in 2021, you just add it to the list.
"Niamh and I have been telling each other just to soak up every single second this semester, whether it's good golf or bad golf," Isaac said. "Just soak up every single 'last' that I can."
The life of a K-State golfer, even during a COVID-19 season, can seem like something of a student-athlete cheat code: Go to class during the week and then take off for a golf resort somewhere warm on Friday.
Just this season, the 'Cats have traveled through Florida, Arizona, Texas and New Mexico in order to find warm temperatures and sunshine throughout the early spring months.
Knight was quick to point out that these trips don't leave much time to relax. On a recent trip to Albuquerque, the only sightseeing the 'Cats did was when a group of hot air balloons took flight outside their hotel.
"Then the girls decided we were ordering takeout from Chili's," Knight said. "I know Coach Jared and I appreciate the personal discipline that they've shown away from the course."
As K-State prepare for the Big 12 Championship in The Woodlands, Texas next week, Isaac is focused on improving her short-game and making sure she can "scrap a good round out of anything."
Against some of the top schools in the nation, Isaac will need to put a strong week together for the Wildcats to have a shot at moving up the national rankings and into the NCAA Tournament.
One of two seniors for the Wildcats this season, Isaac has emerged as a leader in the program, but she hasn't done it alone.
"Niamh and I lean on each other a lot. We're both strong leaders on this team and a lot of the others look up to us," Isaac said. "We emit the same energy a lot of the time, so it's nice being able to lean on her during the hard times and feed off her during the good ones."
Potatoes, San Francisco, and Grey's Anatomy...
— K-State Women's Golf (@KStateWGolf) January 26, 2021
Get to know one our favorites, Niamh McSherry 🎥#KStateWGolf pic.twitter.com/GRpfVbZL9s
That mindset, remaining steady whether things are going well or going poorly, is one that Isaac shares with her head coach.
Knight pointed out that the Wildcats often struggled in the opening round of tournaments early in the season, saving their best scores for the final round. This spring, it's been the opposite.
"The good news is we know we can do both," Knight said. "We're really going to see some good results when we start solid and finish strong. That's when there's real opportunity for this team to do something special."
Improved play from some of the younger golfers on K-State will be key during the conference tournament and student-athletes like Napua Glossner have given Knight reason for optimism.
The San Diego native has put together a string of impressive performance in the spring, carding an under-par round at every tournament the Wildcats have played in 2021.
"This weekend, I'm hoping she can have multiple under-par rounds," Knight said. "That's the great thing: I know they're all capable of doing it."
K-State left for Texas and the Big 12 Championship on Thursday afternoon - the 'Cats will practice throughout the weekend before the tournament begins on Sunday.
And no matter how many more rounds Isaac has in front of her as a K-State golfer, the senior knows where her focus will be on the course.
"I'm just looking to enjoy myself, because the scores will come if I'm having a good time," she said. "Stay focused on every single shot and not the big picture. Take the pressure off because I can't worry about the future. Focus on the now and enjoy every moment."
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
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