(April 23, 2010) The University of Southern Indiana women's golf team is in search of its third straight trip to the NCAA II Tournament and it can help itself with a big performance this weekend as it competes at the GLVC Championship in Waterloo, Illinois.
One of the reasons the Screaming Eagles have enjoyed so much success in the last three seasons has been the play of Kimberly Gottwald, a two-time NGCA Scholar All-American. Gottwald is third on the team heading into the GLVC Championship with an 80.3 strokes per round average. This season, Gottwald has had two top-five finishes and four top-10 performances.
Recently, Gottwald sat down with USI women's basketball player and sports information intern Abby Williams for a little Q&A. Below is what the public relations and advertising major revealed:
Williams: What is your full name?
Gottwald: Kimberly Paige Gottwald
Williams: When were you born?
Gottwald: July 4, 1987
Williams: Where is your hometown?
Gottwald: Fort Wayne, Indiana
Williams: Do you have any nicknames, and if so how did you get them?
Gottwald: Everyone I know through golf calls me Kimmy or Lil Kimmy.
Williams: What is your biggest sports accomplishment?
Gottwald: We have won several tournaments as a team, most of them when we were down after the first day. It’s fun to come back when everyone thinks you are out of it!
Williams: What is your best childhood memory?
Gottwald: My mom is an amazing cook. Whenever she made Christmas cookies, she would let me stand on a chair and help her cut them out. I made the biggest mess!
Williams: Describe yourself in three words.
Gottwald: Enthusiastic, Optimistic, and Encouraging
Williams: How did you get started playing golf?
Gottwald: My dad would take me out to the golf course after he got off work. He would drop shots from about 50 yards and I would use my plastic clubs to get it to the green. I could probably play nine holes now with as many shots as it took me then to play one!
Williams: What do you like most about USI?
Gottwald: I love the family atmosphere our team has. If we are on a trip, anyone and everyone are welcome. Our coach really respects the sacrifices our family and friends make to travel to see us play.
Williams: What is the best thing about college life?
Gottwald: The relationships you form with those around you. You have some experiences in college that make you understand what real friends are!
Williams: What are your plans after college?
Gottwald: I am leaving my options open for now. I have two totally opposite fields of study, so I’m open to using either of them. God will lead me in the way He best sees fit!
Williams: Who has been the biggest influence on your personal life?
Gottwald: My friends (a lot of which happen to be my teammates) and boyfriend, Curt, all of whom are supportive of my decisions and are there to listen when I need to talk. Like good friends, they are also honest with me and let me know when I’ve messed up!
Williams: What is the best thing about being a college athlete?
Gottwald: The best thing is getting to travel and play courses I probably would have never have had the chances to play. I have met so many people and have gotten to know them. What else are you going to do for four-plus hours?
Williams: What motivates you as a golfer?
Gottwald: Knowing that my score is never out. Our sport is a little different in that you don’t have that much communication during competition. Everyone has to keep grinding until the end because a lot of tournaments are decided by one or two shots.
Williams: What’s your favorite college golf course?
Gottwald: Murder Rock in Branson, Missouri. The course was tough, but the scenery was the most beautiful I have ever seen.
Williams: What kind of music do you listen to before games to get you pumped up?
Gottwald: Our team listens to about anything, we have lots of goofy playlists and jam in the van. If coach gets his way, it’s Patsy Cline.
Williams: What’s your favorite college sports team other than USI?
Gottwald: THE Ohio State University! My dad has been taking me to games since I was three, and we still go whenever possible. Go Bucks!
Williams: What’s your dream vacation spot?
Gottwald: I would love to go to Hawaii at some point in my life.
Williams: What drives you as a player?
Gottwald: Positive thinking. My game really turned around after I worked on the mental aspect. If you don’t believe in yourself, why should others?
Williams: What kind of teammate are you?
Gottwald: Everyone tells me I’m the “mom”.
