University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Golf
Off the Course: Christine Portillo
12/3/2018 1:33:00 PM | Women's Golf
With nine weeks remaining until the spring golf season, we'll be featuring Q&As with each Minnesota women's golfer. First up is Christine Portillo, a redshirt sophomore from Edina, Minn. Christine competed as in individual in the Minnesota Invitational during the fall season and placed 63rd, and saw action in three tournaments last season as an individual. As a high school golfer, she was a three-year letterwinner for the Edina High School Hornets and was selected All-Lake Conference her junior and senior years after winning the team conference and state titles both seasons. She also won the junior club championship at Olympic Hills Golf Club and placed multiple times during junior PGA competition.
Gopher Sports: What have been the biggest lessons you've learned from your first season to this season?
Christine Portillo: There have been so many things that I have learned over the years, but I would say the biggest thing is time management. Being a student athlete is exciting because there are always things going on! Knowing how to manage school, golf and other things takes time and I have become really good at time management. Another key thing I have learned is patience. Being patient with my golf game and knowing that hard work will translate into success with time.
GS: How would you describe yourself as a golfer?
CP: I am a fast-paced golfer, I have a strong iron game and I am always working on improving my putting skills as well!
GS: As a Minnesota resident, how much does it mean to you to play for the University and what went into your decision to come here?
CP: It was my dream to play golf for the Gophers for years and one of the coolest days of my life when I signed. It means so much to play for the University of Minnesota and be close to home as well. When I was deciding where to go to school, I wanted to be close to home and everything worked out so I was so excited when I got offered to play here!
GS: You spend a lot of your time off the course giving back and even earned letters in high school for your community service. Where does that desire come from and what have you been up to with that since you've been on campus?
CP: I have always enjoyed giving back to the community, and in high school I volunteered at K9 Rescue and Rehoming on weekends, which is a foster-based dog rescue. In the summer before freshman year of college, I started volunteering with the Gophers and then got really into it ever since. One awesome experience was traveling up to Camp Odayin in northern Minnesota for the day with other athletes, spending time with kids who have heart disease. The camp allows parents and kids to enjoy time with others going through the same thing they are, surrounded by many resources including doctors on standby. We played with the kids on the lake and did crafts with them, and it changed my whole perspective on taking health for granted. Gopher Athletics and the Camp Odayin organization still have a great partnership that we hope to continue in the future. I have volunteered with different organizations around the Twin Cities and it has been very humbling to hear the stories of many. I want to continue to build my career and then be able to eventually sponsor volunteer organizations and make a difference.
GS: What has been the most rewarding or exciting outreach event that you've been a part of?
CP: I connected with the Bridging Organization to produce an event for our team to spend time volunteering there in November. Bridging is an organization that collects furniture and household essentials for people that are moving into apartments or housing that can't afford to furnish it. It is an amazing cause, and our team built 10 clothing dressers for families in need. It was an awesome team building experience, and we got a tour of the warehouse on site where families can come shopping for items they need. I love that organization because it gives back directly to people in our own community which creates a direct impact.
GS: What is one thing you'd like Gopher fans to know about you?
CP: I currently work downtown and I am building a business through Northwestern Mutual while I am still in school!
Gopher Sports: What have been the biggest lessons you've learned from your first season to this season?
Christine Portillo: There have been so many things that I have learned over the years, but I would say the biggest thing is time management. Being a student athlete is exciting because there are always things going on! Knowing how to manage school, golf and other things takes time and I have become really good at time management. Another key thing I have learned is patience. Being patient with my golf game and knowing that hard work will translate into success with time.
GS: How would you describe yourself as a golfer?
CP: I am a fast-paced golfer, I have a strong iron game and I am always working on improving my putting skills as well!
GS: As a Minnesota resident, how much does it mean to you to play for the University and what went into your decision to come here?
CP: It was my dream to play golf for the Gophers for years and one of the coolest days of my life when I signed. It means so much to play for the University of Minnesota and be close to home as well. When I was deciding where to go to school, I wanted to be close to home and everything worked out so I was so excited when I got offered to play here!
GS: You spend a lot of your time off the course giving back and even earned letters in high school for your community service. Where does that desire come from and what have you been up to with that since you've been on campus?
CP: I have always enjoyed giving back to the community, and in high school I volunteered at K9 Rescue and Rehoming on weekends, which is a foster-based dog rescue. In the summer before freshman year of college, I started volunteering with the Gophers and then got really into it ever since. One awesome experience was traveling up to Camp Odayin in northern Minnesota for the day with other athletes, spending time with kids who have heart disease. The camp allows parents and kids to enjoy time with others going through the same thing they are, surrounded by many resources including doctors on standby. We played with the kids on the lake and did crafts with them, and it changed my whole perspective on taking health for granted. Gopher Athletics and the Camp Odayin organization still have a great partnership that we hope to continue in the future. I have volunteered with different organizations around the Twin Cities and it has been very humbling to hear the stories of many. I want to continue to build my career and then be able to eventually sponsor volunteer organizations and make a difference.
GS: What has been the most rewarding or exciting outreach event that you've been a part of?
CP: I connected with the Bridging Organization to produce an event for our team to spend time volunteering there in November. Bridging is an organization that collects furniture and household essentials for people that are moving into apartments or housing that can't afford to furnish it. It is an amazing cause, and our team built 10 clothing dressers for families in need. It was an awesome team building experience, and we got a tour of the warehouse on site where families can come shopping for items they need. I love that organization because it gives back directly to people in our own community which creates a direct impact.
GS: What is one thing you'd like Gopher fans to know about you?
CP: I currently work downtown and I am building a business through Northwestern Mutual while I am still in school!
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