Q&A with...Golf's Kathy Schafer
Apr 9, 2003 | Women's Golf
April 9, 2003
The lone senior on the 2002-03 Tulane women's golf team, Kathy Schafer has seen the team evolve into one of the Top 20 programs in women's golf with three tournament wins so far this year. A first-team All-Conference USA selection in 2002, the Bogota, Colombia product has played more than 100 rounds for Tulane during her career.
What is your year and major?
"I am a senior double majoring in marketing and management. I have always been interested in working with people. My management degree came first and it goes along with marketing. My major my freshman year was political science, but that didn't work out."
When did you first start playing golf?
"I started playing when I was like four or five. My dad and all of my brothers play golf, and I went to the club with them. I was always guided toward golf, but I played all the sports at the club. I started getting serious about it when I was 10 and started taking regular sessions."
How has your experience at Tulane been?
"It has been awesome. I've learned a lot as a person and I have grown up. I definitely made the right choice and it has been interesting to see how the team has evolved over the years."
What has been your most memorable moment on the course?
"I have made two hole-in-ones at home, and several eagles, also at home. Last year was pretty cool. We qualified for regionals for the second time since I have been here. We played very well, but we missed nationals by one stroke, which was depressing, but it was a pretty cool year. Everyone was playing well and the chemistry was great. This year is very cool too. We have two new girls and two left. It is a totally different chemistry, but still good. We have won so many tournaments this year too."
How is the experience of being a team captain?
"There is a lot of difference, because you have more pressure on you and more responsibilities. You are on the spot and you can get criticized very easily. Sometimes it is hard to handle that, but it has been fun."
What type of golfer are you?
"I have my phases that I go through. I am definitely not the longest hitter. I like to hit my irons, especially my short irons, like seven through nine, and my wedges. I also like to shoot from around the green. Putting, we are better friends now, but it was tough at first."
What is life like off the course?
"Life is very busy. My day this semester starts early. On an odd day, [Monday, Wednesday, Friday] I start at 7:30 working at Media Services and I work until about 11:30 and then I have class until 12:45. Then I have a short practice and a workout after that. Then I have a dance class at 6 p.m. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, we have practice in the mornings and I have class all day after that. The bad thing about this semester is that I have a night class everyday. It is cool but it is really busy."
What do you do in your free time?
"I love to go to the levee and just sit there. If I have something to read, I'll take that, or I'll go with my friends and we'll sit there and chat. That is my favorite thing to do, or sometimes I'll just stay at home and do something for myself. I love music. I'm from Columbia and I love Latin music."
So are you a big dance club person?
"Of course. I love to dance and when I have the time, I do go out and dance. I have a group of Latin friends that I go out with to Latin clubs, which is pretty cool. And we also go out a lot as a team but that is different kind of going out. It is not alcohol driven or anything. It is just a lot of fun."
What would your advice be to the freshmen?
"Sometimes it is going to get tough and sometimes it is going to be fun, but you just have to persevere. Guide yourself. Nothing is always pretty and beautiful, but most of the time it is and you can take advantage of that. You just have to decide what you want in your life and go for it."
