So far this season, junior Lacey Fears has proven to be one of the best women’s golfers in the Atlantic Sun Conference. Fears has already earned two Atlantic Sun Player of the Week Honors this season, along with winning the LPGA Invitational and placing second in the Eat a Peach Collegiate. After a disappointing loss in conference playoffs last season, she seeks to redeem herself and take the championship title. Fears sat down with the Cluster to discuss more of her golf career.
Cluster:Where are you from?
Fears: Warner Robins, Georgia
C: How old were you when you started playing sports?
F: I started playing golf at six years old.
C: Did you play any other sports when you were younger? If so, what sports?
F: I played soccer and basketball.
C: You were on the All-Conference team last year. What did you do coming into this season to prepare to continue competing at that level?
F: Being named to the All-Conference team last year gave me the confidence I needed going in to this season to perform at the best of my ability.
C: Obviously your hard work has paid off. You’ve had one of your best seasons so far getting two Atlantic Sun Player of the Week honors. Describe your emotions after these accomplishments.
F: I am very excited that I have played well so far this season because normally I play my best golf in the spring so it is nice to get my confidence up and going prior to the championship season.
C: How would you describe yourself as a player?
F: I just love playing the game. I think the key to my success has always been staying in the moment and not getting ahead of myself. I try not to let myself get too high or too low. Golf is a game where you can’t let yourself get too comfortable. There is always something you can get better at.
C: What is your greatest memory in golf?
F: My greatest memory is winning the LPGA tournament because it was a very competitive field and I played the course better as a junior than as a freshman.
C: And the worst?
F: The worst was probably losing in a playoff at conference. My grandmother had just passed away the day before and I was planning to dedicate the win to her. This loss also kept me from getting a bid to NCAAs.
C: What do you do to prepare for each golf match?
F: To prepare for a tournament mentally, I visualize myself winning and try to get in the moment. Physically, I try to work on the parts of my game that I think will be most crucial at the course we are playing that week.
C: Once you’ve graduated and are done playing Division I golf, do you still see yourself being involved with golf or sports in any way?
F: Ideally, after I graduate I am planning to go to Qualifying School and try to qualify for the LPGA. If that doesn’t pan out, I hope for a career in coaching a college team or teaching.
C: To wrap it up, how do you plan on finishing out this season?
F: Last year was heartbreaking at conference since I lost in a playoff for low medalist, so I am definitely hungry to win the A-Sun Championship. There is a lot of talent on the team this year and we have a great shot at winning if we all play for each other.
With only one tournament left this fall season, the Mercer Women’s golf team hopes to finish strong, giving them a solid momentum going into the spring. Furman University will be hosting the Bears in Spartanburg, S.C. at the Lady Paladin Invitational on Oct. 26.
Player Spotlight: Lacey Fears
