University of Minnesota Athletics
Get to Know the Golfers
4/25/2017 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
Each week, Gopher Sports will feature different student-athletes on the women's golf team. This week, get to know juniors Sabrine Garrison of Calgary, Alberta, and Heather Ciskowski of Barrington, Ill.
GopherSports: How has this season gone for you so far?
Sabrine Garrison: The season has been going well for me, I feel like my game is really coming together. I worked on my putting over winter break, and it has paid off this season. I am realizing quickly that four years passes fast, so I have been trying to enjoy myself more on the golf course and during tournaments.
Heather Ciskowski: The season has been going pretty well so far. It is quite amazing how fast the golf seasons go. Each member of this team has put in many hours to improve and it is certainly great to watch and be a part of. I also have a wonderful time traveling with my teammates and coaches.
GS: What have been the biggest surprises and challenges?
SG: I don't think I could have imagined how rewarding it is to be a student athlete. It is very challenging to get through the semester when golf, school and other activities become very demanding. However, going through these challenging experiences has allowed me to grow in ways I couldn't have imagined. Similarly, the support that I have received from my teammates, friends, and other gophers has been amazing.
HC: I would say the biggest surprise and challenge would be how absolutely quickly these years have gone by. Before I came to college I was told by everyone to be sure to enjoy it because it flies. And they were definitely correct. It is difficult to manage academics, athletics, social, and even yourself, which is the challenge of this aspect. So, although it is a challenge and quite a surprise it is all about enjoying every moment.
GS: Looking back on the past few seasons, what do you think you've improved on the most since freshman year? How have you changed?
SG: Looking back I have become a more consistent player, and with that I have also become a more confident player. Playing tournaments at a collegiate level has really given me the experience I needed. Also, the training I have done with Coach Redman and John Cleary has really brought my game to another level. I have had the chance to fine-tune my short game, specifically working on my chipping and putting. Not only has my game changed, I have also grown a lot about a person. I have become more confident and resilient, which also reflects in my life outside of golf.
HC: Freshman year still feels like it was yesterday. But a lot has happened in the past few years! From a golf perspective, I have really worked on improving my short game, putting statistics, and simply shooting as low as I can every time I step on the first tee. Building confidence on the course takes time and Coach Redman, Cleary, as well as my teammates have helped with that! From a personal outlook, I believe I have simply tried to be the best Heather I can be every single year. I have definitely learned about myself on the golf course, classroom, or even walking around campus. I know I have definitely grown up since coming here. Being a collegiate student-athlete requires an immense amount of responsibility. You learn as you go, which is nice! I also would not be where I am today without the people I have surrounded myself with. I am very lucky to be a part of such a great program!
GS: What are some things you're still working on?
SG: I am still working on fine-tuning all aspects of my game, becoming more consistent is always possible. Short game is also a big part of my game that I am always working on. It can be challenging for us over the winter so taking advantage of every opportunity to get outside when we can is critical.
HC: With golf, I am still working on hitting pitch shots from inside 50 yards to try to get as close as I can to the pin and shoot as low as possible. Additionally, as I mentioned earlier, I am working on being more confident on the course. Coach Redman and Cleary are really working with me on pushing myself and knowing I can hit difficult shots. It is taking some time, but I have definitely seen improvement, which is pleasant! Just personally, with myself, I am working on being the best person I can be to everyone around me and appreciating this time as much as possible.
GS: What has been your favorite/most memorable moment this season?
SG: It is hard to pin point a favorite memory or moment of the season. As a team we spend so much time together, that sometimes the best memories are the small moments of pure joy. When I look back on the season I think about listening to music as a team at practice, the uncontrollable laughter, and the team comradery. We have gone through a lot of challenges together, and I am so proud of everyone's resilience. Our team has made a special effort this season to focus on having fun together. Creating this culture has been really memorable for me.
HC: Our team has done an incredible job trying to do something alternative to golf when we travel. Coach Redman and Cleary had an idea of allocating someone during a trip to be in charge of finding a place to travel to, sight see, a fun restaurant to eat dinner in, or some sort of treat. It has been delightful to see our team coming together and enjoying the time we have.
GS: What are you looking forward to in the next coming seasons?
SG: I am looking forward to continuing to create a positive culture for Minnesota Women's Golf with my teammates for the incoming freshmen. I think that we have the potential to do great things on and off the golf course. It is exciting to be surrounded by amazing people that continue to push each other to improve, whether that is in life or with golf specifically. I also can't wait to take on senior year. I am ready to finish strong with my teammate, roommate, and friend Heather Ciskowski. We started this journey together, and I can't wait to see what this next year holds for us.
HC: I am looking forward to integrating the four freshmen into our program and seeing how successful our team can be. The girls coming in are superb and will be great assets to our team. In addition, I am looking forward to senior year of golf and school. It has been a long and incredible couple years!
GS: Are you ready to be a leader on the team?
SG: Heather and I are completely ready to be leaders on this team. We have learned a ton through our own experience here. We have grown a lot and we are excited to share the knowledge we have acquired with the rest of our team. We believe in everyone and we believe in creating a positive culture moving forward.
HC: If I may, I think Sabrine and I have always been `ready' to be leaders of this team. Being a leader is something Sabrine and I try to emulate every day, whether it is at workouts early in the morning, practices, or traveling. We have made sure everyone on this team feels they are at the very heart of our program. Similarly, that everyone can contribute to making a difference to the success of our team. Yes, being a leader sounds wonderful, but I think more importantly it will be pleasing to continue helping everyone become the best person they can be and leaders as well.
GS: Even though you've lived here for a while now, what is the biggest difference between Alberta and Minnesota or Canada and the US? What do you miss the most?
SG: The biggest difference between Alberta/Minnesota and Canada/US is the culture of athletics. Canada has great academics, but we have nowhere near the same degree of school spirit and competitive athletic programs at both the high school and university level. It was very exciting for me to come to a Big Ten school and be a part of the Gopher culture. The amount of pride people have for their school and sports here is very special. What I miss the most is my family and the Rocky Mountains. I grew up skiing and hiking, though I have to admit I have taken to the lake life!
GS: What do you miss most about your hometown/Illinois? Do you make it back there often?
HC: It is interesting; I don't miss Illinois as a whole because Minnesota has definitely stolen my heart! However, I do miss little things about my hometown of Barrington. I miss my family and being around my sisters on a constant basis. I also miss playing golf at our country club, Biltmore, being on the lake, and laughing with the incredible staff at our club who has turned into family! I do try to make it back there as often as I can whether it is on holidays or for a couple weeks during the summer. In the years here, I have definitely recognized that life is, plainly, what you make of it. I am lucky to have found my own life here and look forward to what else it has in store for me in the future!
Players Mentioned
