University of Tennessee Athletics
LADY VOL GOLF DIARIES - SARAH BONNER-SHANKS
December 25, 2004 | Women's Golf
Dec. 25, 2004
Playing at UT has been an absolute dream come true. I have always been a hardcore fan, and to finally put on orange and white and represent the school I love while playing the game I also love is an absolute fantasy.
One of the things I was not expecting coming to UT was to find the instant motivators and friends in my team. Right now our captain, Jessica (better known as Ship) has given each teammate a "big sister", or "lil sister". Each week we try to do something with our big/lil whether it be going out to eat, or simply hanging out. It gives us a chance to know our teammates outside of the golf atmosphere.
This past week we had a Christmas party at Judi's (Pavon) house. Everyone brought their own specialty dish, and we had an absolute feast! (Although my pie needed a little help, I'm still learning how to cook! ) The party, though, was awesome. It was great to spend time with teammates and celebrate Christmas. We also made Christmas cards for our beloved Pen Pals in third grade.
One thing I suspected coming to UT was that Judi Pavon had to be a great coach if she worked for the university, but I had no clue she was this awesome. Judi and Carrie (Cole) are always thinking up new, exciting, and challenging drills that will help us on the course. They are also constantly thinking of how we can make up one or two strokes, here and there, as a team, and also individually. Judi and Carrie also combine to make one awesome swing coach. They work together on each one of us individually to make sure that they both tell us similar swing thoughts when we are in a bind. Because of this awesome duo, while at UT, my swing has only gotten better. Above all though, Judi and Carrie teach us skills that will not only help us with our golf game, but also with life. For instance, over the break we were asked to think about this one question, "If you could do anything in the world and knew that you could succeed, what would that be?" This is the exact positive, goal making and achieving environment I am surrounded by everyday, and feel absolutely blessed to be a part of it. I know our team can and will achieve great things.
Hope you have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!
