Written by Kennedy Dinius '17
In her last season of Bronco golf, Kaci McCartan (KM) hopes to show everyone her team's potential. She has accomplished many goals the past four years, but knows that there are more to accomplish this year. Santa Clara Broncos (SCB) had the opportunity to sit down and chat about McCartan's upcoming spring season.
SCB: Now an upperclassman on your team, what do you hope to teach the freshmen?
KM: I hope to teach the freshmen to constantly push themselves on and off the golf course. Our team has done some great things so far this year with multiple wins in the fall, but I think it is important to push ourselves to improve even more now. The upperclassmen have definitely realized our potential to be a great team, so now it is our job to help the underclassmen realize our potential. I also hope to teach the underclassmen how to balance golf and school, as it is definitely not easy, especially freshman year.
SCB: What is something you do to mentally prepare yourself for a match?
KM: When I am getting ready for a tournament, I like to listen to music (pretty much always country) in the morning to calm myself down and start getting a rhythm in my head, so I do not rush my swing out on the course. I also like to remove myself from my team for a little bit right before we tee off to go back and remember some really good rounds I have had recently to get myself in the mentality of scoring well.
SCB: What made you want to be a Santa Clara Bronco?
KM: I really wanted to be a Santa Clara Bronco because Santa Clara had everything I was looking for in a college. I instantly fell in love with the Jesuit community. Being in Silicon Valley provides so many opportunities for the future. It is tough to beat the California weather for golf. Coach Kelly and my teammates are absolutely amazing. I could go on and on. Santa Clara is a great place, and I am very blessed to be a Bronco.
SCB: Do you have any personal goals you hope to achieve by the end of this season?
KM: This past fall season will be tough to beat. I accomplished many of my personal goals, like playing in all the events, getting a top 10, and even winning an event. My team also accomplished so many goals, like shooting a record team low and winning two events. For spring season, I would like to see myself play in all five events, which includes conference. I would also like to get at least two more top 10 finishes by the end of this season, and getting one in conference would be awesome.
