The University of Mississippi Athletics
Q&A With Head Coach Meghan Bolger
1/17/2005 | Women's Golf
Jan. 17, 2005
Q: Your team showed a lot of potential at various points throughout the fall. Is it soothing to know that these young ladies have the ability to compete with some of the top teams in the region?
A: At most of our fall tournaments, we had two really good rounds coupled with one below-average round. The most important thing for us right now is to find a way to pull all three rounds together. We are working hard to become a more consistent team. We have the potential to be really good and I think people saw that throughout the fall. We have two or three golfers who are stringing together good scores over the course of a tournament, but we are not getting that effort from all five individuals on a regular basis.
Everything starts with practice and qualifying. We have to figure out a way to get it done during the entire tournament. We are in great physical shape, but we need to come out with more mental toughness. We need to believe in ourselves and establish the mindset that we can compete with any team we face.
Q: Nikki Hadd has been one of the staples in your program over the past four years. Can you talk about her play and what we can expect from her this spring?
A: This spring will be an exciting time for Nikki. She really has a chance to shine in her last semester at Ole Miss. Nikki has grown and matured during her college career. I know she's going to finish on a positive note because she's a very talented young woman.
Q: Nikki Hadd and Lisha Beyer are your two seniors and have shown a lot of leadership during their careers at Ole Miss. Can you comment on the contributions they've made to the program?
A: I feel like our program is filled with an incredible group of young women. They are all very talented - on and off the course. Nikki and Lisha have done a tremendous job in leading this group. They have made us forget how hard it is to be a successful Division-I student-athlete.
Nikki is just an unbelievable person. She has been a great role model with her positive attitude and work ethic. Every year, Nikki has come back more dedicated to her own game and the team concept. As a leader, that's what you want and that's what you need.
Lisha is a fantastic person and has the most amazing attitude, which undoubtedly rubs off on her teammates. One of the things that sets her apart is the fact that she's so involved outside of the classroom and away from the golf course. She is truly a great representative of our program, the athletic department and the University of Mississippi.
Q: Sophomore Katie Davidson has really stepped up this year. Can you talk about the improvement from her freshman season?
A: Katie has improved because she's been able to get a grip on the mental approach that's needed to be successful at this level. She came to us as a freshman with a lot of raw talent, so it's never been a question of, `does she have the talent?' Now, I think things are starting to come together for Katie. She worked extremely hard over the summer and came back in the fall with more determination and focus. She has quickly become one of the top players on our team, but she has so much more potential. If Katie continues to keep that mental edge and improve each season, she could become one of the best players in the country by her senior year.
Q: Can you talk about having just six on the roster and how everyone needs to contribute for this team to be successful?
A: Yes, we have a pretty small roster with just six golfers. It's nice because everyone gets an opportunity to show us what they can do, but it's also a situation where all six have to contribute for us to be successful. This group is filled with solid golfers and great people. All of the girls have similar personalities and hang out away from the course.
Q: Can you preview the upcoming spring schedule?
A: The competition on our spring schedule will be a little stronger than what we saw in the fall. We will be facing some really solid teams in our four regular-season tournaments. I think we are capable of a top-three finish at the first two tournaments (Bay Area Classic and Edwin Watts/Pinehurst Challenge) and then top-five finishes the rest of the way (LSU/Cleveland Golf Classic and Liz Murphey Collegiate). Last year's Liz Murphey had 11 of the nation's Top 30 teams, so that's the type of competition we're typically up against week in and week out.
Q: What types of goals and expectations do you have for the spring?
A: This year's Southeastern Conference line-up is stronger than last year's. Every year, this league seems to get tougher and tougher. We would like to finish in the top half of the league because that usually means you are a Top-25 team. We are looking forward to the challenge.
