University of Minnesota Athletics
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Golf
Photo by: Brad Rempel
Tee Time with Leah Herzog
12/18/2021 3:30:00 PM | Women's Golf
The University of Minnesota women's golf team welcomes five newcomers to the team for the 2021-22 season. GopherSports.com will sit down with each of them to get to know them better as they compete in their first season in the Maroon and Gold.
Next up, it is Leah Herzog. After spending two seasons at the University of Nebraska, the Red Wing, Minn. native transferred to Minnesota prior to the start of the 2021-22 season. Herzog did not compete for Nebraska in 2020-21, but enjoyed a solid start to her freshman season in 2019-20 before it was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. As a freshman, she recorded a 76.65 stroke average (fifth-best ever for a Nebraska freshman) and was one of only two Nebraska student-athletes to play in all 17 rounds. She shot 66 (-6) in the first round of the Golfweek Conference Challenge to post the best round by a true freshman in Nebraska history.
In the summer of 2020, Herzog tied for seventh at the Minnesota Women's Amateur.
Herzog was one of the top Minnesota prospects in 2019 and was named Minnesota Ms. Golf. She finished state runner-up in 2018 and 2019 while attending Red Wing High School and led Red Wing to a state championship in 2019. As a senior in high school, she posted a 69.4 stroke average, which was a two-stroke improvement from her junior season. She was a four-time all-state selection in high school.
GopherSports: How long have you been playing golf and who introduced you to the sport?
Leah Herzog: I started playing golf at about age four. I grew up in a golf family, therefore I started young like all of my siblings did. I am the youngest of five, which means in most things I got a head start, especially golf.
GS: Who introduced you to golf?
LH: My dad introduced me to golf. I remember my dad used to bring my sister, Stephanie, and I to the golf course in the summers and he would carry both of our golf bags the whole time. After golf we would stop and get donuts at Kwik Trip. He would always do these little things for us, to ensure that we are enjoying golf most of all and make it a good experience.
GS: When did you realize you'd like to play collegiate golf?
LH: I was unsure about playing college golf growing up because I did not always enjoy it or perform how I wanted. I remember after winning the state tournament as a team my eighth grade year, I realized that I had talent in this sport and a potential to be more than just a good high school player. As the years went on, I kept pushing and hoping I would have a good enough golf resume to play at a Power Five school.
GS: What drew you to play for the University of Minnesota?
LH: Minnesota has always been my dream school to attend from a young age and as I got older it became a dream to be able to impact the women's golf team here. I was born and raised in Minnesota and have always been a gopher fan. It truly is a dream come true to have the opportunity to be a student-athlete at the University of Minnesota.
GS: How has your experience with the Gophers been so far?
LH: My experience here has been amazing! As most know, this is my first semester here since I transferred from the University of Nebraska, and it has been such a great fit being in Minnesota at my dream school and closer to home.
GS: What would you say is the strongest part of your game?
LH: I would say the best part of my game is definitely my short game/wedge game. I have always felt very confident in my ability to hit hard chips or make clutch putts. I also feel pretty confident about going at pins and giving myself good opportunities to make birdies when I have a wedge in my hands
GS: What is one thing you'd like to improve upon?
LH: In my golf game I would certainly like to improve my 140-200 distances. I do not hit it super far, which means I have a lot of high irons or even hybrids into greens. I feel really good about the swing fan workout plan that I was given to work on during this off season. The main goal of this swing fan workout is for me to be able hit it a little farther this coming spring.
GS: Is there anything you hope to achieve while playing for the Gophers?
LH: Two things I would love to accomplish while I am a part of the program are to win a Big Ten Championship as well as compete in regionals with my team.
GS: What has been your impression of the John W. Mooty Practice Facility?
LH: The facility that our program has been given is beyond amazing! The John W. Mooty Practice Facility is a place that I feel I can take my game to the next level during the winter months. I have never had access to such a nice and useful golf facility until I came here. I am so thankful to our donors who have made this happen for us!
Next up, it is Leah Herzog. After spending two seasons at the University of Nebraska, the Red Wing, Minn. native transferred to Minnesota prior to the start of the 2021-22 season. Herzog did not compete for Nebraska in 2020-21, but enjoyed a solid start to her freshman season in 2019-20 before it was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. As a freshman, she recorded a 76.65 stroke average (fifth-best ever for a Nebraska freshman) and was one of only two Nebraska student-athletes to play in all 17 rounds. She shot 66 (-6) in the first round of the Golfweek Conference Challenge to post the best round by a true freshman in Nebraska history.
In the summer of 2020, Herzog tied for seventh at the Minnesota Women's Amateur.
Herzog was one of the top Minnesota prospects in 2019 and was named Minnesota Ms. Golf. She finished state runner-up in 2018 and 2019 while attending Red Wing High School and led Red Wing to a state championship in 2019. As a senior in high school, she posted a 69.4 stroke average, which was a two-stroke improvement from her junior season. She was a four-time all-state selection in high school.
GopherSports: How long have you been playing golf and who introduced you to the sport?
Leah Herzog: I started playing golf at about age four. I grew up in a golf family, therefore I started young like all of my siblings did. I am the youngest of five, which means in most things I got a head start, especially golf.
GS: Who introduced you to golf?
LH: My dad introduced me to golf. I remember my dad used to bring my sister, Stephanie, and I to the golf course in the summers and he would carry both of our golf bags the whole time. After golf we would stop and get donuts at Kwik Trip. He would always do these little things for us, to ensure that we are enjoying golf most of all and make it a good experience.
GS: When did you realize you'd like to play collegiate golf?
LH: I was unsure about playing college golf growing up because I did not always enjoy it or perform how I wanted. I remember after winning the state tournament as a team my eighth grade year, I realized that I had talent in this sport and a potential to be more than just a good high school player. As the years went on, I kept pushing and hoping I would have a good enough golf resume to play at a Power Five school.
GS: What drew you to play for the University of Minnesota?
LH: Minnesota has always been my dream school to attend from a young age and as I got older it became a dream to be able to impact the women's golf team here. I was born and raised in Minnesota and have always been a gopher fan. It truly is a dream come true to have the opportunity to be a student-athlete at the University of Minnesota.
GS: How has your experience with the Gophers been so far?
LH: My experience here has been amazing! As most know, this is my first semester here since I transferred from the University of Nebraska, and it has been such a great fit being in Minnesota at my dream school and closer to home.
GS: What would you say is the strongest part of your game?
LH: I would say the best part of my game is definitely my short game/wedge game. I have always felt very confident in my ability to hit hard chips or make clutch putts. I also feel pretty confident about going at pins and giving myself good opportunities to make birdies when I have a wedge in my hands
GS: What is one thing you'd like to improve upon?
LH: In my golf game I would certainly like to improve my 140-200 distances. I do not hit it super far, which means I have a lot of high irons or even hybrids into greens. I feel really good about the swing fan workout plan that I was given to work on during this off season. The main goal of this swing fan workout is for me to be able hit it a little farther this coming spring.
GS: Is there anything you hope to achieve while playing for the Gophers?
LH: Two things I would love to accomplish while I am a part of the program are to win a Big Ten Championship as well as compete in regionals with my team.
GS: What has been your impression of the John W. Mooty Practice Facility?
LH: The facility that our program has been given is beyond amazing! The John W. Mooty Practice Facility is a place that I feel I can take my game to the next level during the winter months. I have never had access to such a nice and useful golf facility until I came here. I am so thankful to our donors who have made this happen for us!
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