ETIVISE LATU: PLAYING LIKE A PRO
May 21, 2009
SEASIDE, Calif. -- Cal State Monterey Bay women’s golf member Etivise Latu received her diploma in Global Studies on May 16. Just six day earlier, she was competing as the only Californian in the 23rd PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship in Port St. Lucie, Florida where she placed second in the individual competition in the field that consisted of players from all NCAA Divisions.
“The PGA Minority Tournament was one of the memorable tournaments I have ever played in college,” Latu said. “I was able to meet a lot of people from the PGA who came and spoke at the event.
“The experience to be able to play on a beautiful course and learn about the history of golf made it a life changing experience.”
In the extremely hot conditions, Latu was on top of the leaderboard following the first round after carding a 76, two strokes ahead of eventual champ Sara Young of Florida State. After recording an 80 on the second day, Latu bounced back with a 77 in the final round to finish with a 233, just four strokes shy of first place.
On July 10th, Latu will be interviewed on the Golf Channel about her appearance in the PGA Minority Tournament.
Latu was one of only 12 NCAA Division II players to make a hole-in-one this year. She accomplished this amazing feat on March 31 in the Lady Otter Spring Invitational on the par-3 14th hole at Bayonet Golf Course in Seaside.
In April, Latu captured ninth place, her best finish of the year, while helping her squad to a team tile at the Grand Canyon Invitational in Goodyear, Ariz. The Otters opened the tournament by carding their lowest round of golf in school history, 12-over par 300.
The Palo Alto native sat down recently to discuss her experiences at CSUMB and her future plans.
What are your favorite golf courses in the world?
Most of my favorite courses in the world are right here in Monterey. The top 2 on my list is the courses I grew up playing on as a kid, Palo Alto Municipal Golf Course and Los Altos Country Club. The two are very important to me because it is where I learned how to play, and the first country club I got to play at.
If you could hit a single shot anywhere- where would you play?
It would have to be Augusta National in Augusta, Georgia, home of the Masters Tournament. I have always dreamed of playing there since I was a kid. It’s a beautiful place that has rich memories and histories of golf, and I would like to be part of that someday.
During the season, describe what your typical day was.
My typical days would be wake up early for a 6 a.m. workout with our assistant coach Lauren Grounds, come back home to eat breakfast, run to class, practice in the evening time, and study hall until I would come home at about 9pm. It would become a routine for the semester. On Fridays, the team would have a qualifying round to determine who will make the five spots in that weekend’s tournament. I enjoyed playing at CSUMB because we got to play a lot of wonderful fun places. I’m going to miss the environment of college golf.
What athletes do you respect?
In golf, it would have to be Tiger Woods and Lorena Ochoa because both have come from two different backgrounds that have enriched the golf world. It has brought diversity and open many doors of opportunities for the future. Outside of golf I respect tennis player Serena Williams. She has been idol of mine for a long time. I respect the perseverance and integrity that she has represented for all woman athletes.
What is your most memorable moment in athletics?
The most memorable moments would have to be the record I have set at CSUMB in which I had two holes-in-ones in two of the Lady Otter Invitational tournaments. It is going to be a record at CSUMB for a very long time. I’m proud to say it came when I least expected.
What are your plans now that you have graduated?
I’m planning on playing in a couple of golf events this summer as well as applying at local courses for employment. Eventually, I will be going back to school to get my masters. Right now I just want to enjoy my summer and make some money. I’m still keeping my goals together and just living each day with a positive attitude by being open to anything that might come my way.
What would you tell future CSUMB golfers to prepare them for playing collegiate golf?
I would say to the newcomers be wise in managing your time, practice, and academics. I also want to add I wish you all good luck and have faith in everything that you do. Hard work comes a long way and believing you can do anything is possible. If you never give up and always try your best, the results will come.
