Jens Deju
Andrea Turner is a junior on the SIU women's golf team. Turner is one of the Salukis' top players and most recently tied for eighth at the Saluki Invitational last month. She recently took some time off to speak with Jens Deju of the Daily Egyptian.
Daily Egyptian: How would you describe yourself as a player?
Andrea Turner: As a golfer, I'm determined, hard working, focused, but I like to have fun out on the course too. With golf, it's a little bit different because it's a sport where you're out competing for five hours, six hours at a time so you obviously can't be hardcore all the time. It's nice to get to know the people you play with and hang, laugh and talk with and then get down to business when it's time to hit your shot.
DE: Off the course?
AT: Well, right now stressed. I'm graduating in May and all my classes are crazy, so I do all that kind of stuff, but I'm very family-oriented and I'm just kind of down to earth. I like to be outdoors and I think that a lot of times people, it's unfortunate that we have so many responsibilities and things that we don't get to spend as much time with the people that we love and I really try and do that. I'm from the area so it makes it easier on me to do that, spend time with friends and that sort.
DE: What got you started in golf?
AT: Well my grandparents played golf all their life and my grandma always wanted somebody to play golf with her and my aunts and my mom were like, 'Golf? No,' so she decided she'd start bringing me to the golf course when I was about three. I met some friends and had like a weekly little lesson and then they'd take me out and play and when I was about nine I started playing in tournaments. I really liked the competitive side of it so I was hooked.
DE: How would you sum up your time at SIU?
AT: I've had a very positive experience. We have a great coach here. Coach [Diane] Daugherty has had numerous experiences, she does a lot of teaching, she's been on the LPGA, so she brings a lot with her and all the girls I've ever played with in my four years have been awesome. You get to learn from each other, develop good friendships and things like that. And academically, it's been great for me too because I'm going to graduate in four years and have the opportunity to go to graduate school and get my masters.
DE: What goes through your mind before you tee off?
AT: In high school I was really nervous and then in college I got to where, like my first couple of years, I felt more ready, but around the tee I'd be nervous. As of late, I've been very nervous again, so I try and just take deep breaths and have fun. We always have lots of people follow us so I chit-chat and that helps release all that for me ... they can keep you focused and if you don't have nerves, you don't care right?
DE: You were the first female in the Illinois High School Association to hit a hole-in-one in the state finals. How proud are you of that?
AT: Well, a hole-in-one is something that some golfers strive for their entire life and never get and I was just fortunate enough to tee it up in the state tournament and have an idea of what I wanted to do and put a good swing on the ball and it just bounced in and it was awesome. I'll never forget that because I haven't had one since. It was definitely a proud moment in my life.
DE: Favorite actor?
AT: Probably Will Smith, I guess. I think he's pretty funny.
DE: Favorite movie?
AT: As of late, Miss Congeniality because I love Sandra Bullock.
DE: Favorite musician?
AT: It's tough to choose ... probably something country. I don't really have a favorite, but I enjoy country music more than anything else.
DE: Favorite TV show?
AT: Friends. I'm generic.
DE: Favorite local restaurant?
AT: I have a few of those. Probably 17th Street - I'm a big fan of barbecue.
Reporter Jens Deju can be reached at jdeju@dailyegyptian.com
Published on 11/17/05; 12:24:44 PM
