Freshman Natalie Sheary put on a remarkable freshman campaign at Wake Forest. The 2008 Freshman of the Year finished fifth at the ACC Championship, and earlier in the season became the Demon Deacons' first freshman since 1998 to win an event when she medaled at the Northrup Grumman Challenge. Sheary took a few minutes to chat with theACC.com about her golf experiences, her success at the 2008 ACC Women's Golf Championship, as well as her expectations for the remaining three years of her college career.
When did you start playing golf?
I started about a week before my 12th birthday. My dad (got me into it). He used to play a lot and surprised me with some golf lessons. I've loved it ever since then.
What other teams have you competed on?
I played on my high school team my freshman year. The next two years, I practiced on my own and then I went to David Leadbetter Golf Academy in Bradenton, Fla., for my senior year. They don't have a team there, but since it's a golf school, you practice with a whole bunch of other golfers.
What other big tournaments have you competed in?
Ever since I was 12, I've played the junior tournaments and then I played in the AJGA. I've played some of the amateur (tournaments) and am trying to qualify for a few of the pro ones. It's been a whole mix of tournaments.
Can you talk about your experiences with the American Junior Golf Association (AJGA)?
I think junior golf was huge, especially for me. The AJGA is great - it's like a junior PGA or LPGA tour. It's a place to play, learn all the rules of golf, have a lot of fun and meet a lot of people who like the same things as you.
What is the best advice you have received from a coach?
Probably to not worry about scores. Just go out there and have fun. A lot of times, we go out there and think we need to hit the shot perfectly, but it's really just about getting it in the hole.
Who is your most influential role model?
Liz Janangelo. She went to Duke and is on the LPGA tour now. She's from my hometown, lives a street away and is a good friend of mine.
What is your most memorable moment in sports, either as an athlete or as a sports fan?
(As a fan,) I would say my favorite shot is one Tiger Woods made at the Masters, when he made that chip. That was all over TV. For me, it was a golf tournament I won near my house. My whole family was there and able to enjoy the moment with me.
What is your greatest accomplishment as an athlete?
Going to Wake Forest and being able to practice hard and play at a Division I school that has great academics.
What do you hope to accomplish throughout the rest of your Wake Forest career?
I still want to learn a lot more about the game and I can certainly do that from our coach, Dianne Dailey, because she used to be on tour and knows a lot of great stuff and great people. I also want to do well in school and learn the most that I can. I'm leaning toward religion as a major and most likely (a minor) in Spanish.
What is it like playing in a conference like the ACC?
It's so strong. (It's great) being able to be part of a conference that has a lot of great teams.
Is there anything in particular that has helped you transition to the college golf scene?
I think the biggest thing that helped me go from high school to college and going away from home is having that year away from home at the Dave Leadbetter Golf Academy. I was on my own there (because) I was boarding there. I'm from Hartford (Conn.) so obviously I was far from home. Doing that has helped me here (in terms of) managing my time and not being homesick.
What does it mean to you to have finished in the top 5 at the ACC Championship as a freshman?
That was a great accomplishment. It was a goal I set. I practiced really hard for it, so being able to that (meant) it paid off. I was really happy with how I finished.
What was your favorite aspect of going to your first ACC Championship?
We hadn't yet played with all the teams in the ACC. Being able to have them all in the same place and play against all of them was really special.
Is there any other tournament besides the ACC Championship that sticks out as being a great performance for you?
I won the Northrup Grumman Challenge this past February in California. There were a lot of Pac-10 teams there, so it a pretty good field (to play against).
Why did you choose Wake Forest?
The academics are great. The location works really well - not too far from home, although it's far enough that there's a change in climate and weather. It doesn't snow like it does at home. I love the people on the team and Dianne Dailey, and Liz (Janangelo) was able to tell me about Wake Forest since she had been to the campus before.
If you got your dream job after you graduate, what would it be?
To play on the LPGA tour!
Natalie Sheary and the Demon Deacons are competing in the NCAA East Regional in Athens, Ga., from May 8-10.
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