TUCSON, Ariz.- Once a formidable force inside the hockey rink, senior Toppie Hogan looks to make an influence on the Arizona men's golf team in his first season. Hogan was a standout hockey player for the Arizona club hockey team, even being named the 2017 Male Hockey Player of the Year by Ice Times Hockey South West, but has now decided to focus his talents on golf. Although he is making his first appearance on the team as a senior, he hopes to make a difference.
Here is more about newcomer Hogan.
What is in your bag?
"I play the new Srixon irons, I play the Callaway Epic driver, 3 Wood, Hybrid, Titleist wedges and golf balls. "
What is your favorite course?
"It has to be Spyglass in Pebble Beach. We did that trip last summer, and the course one through 18 was the best course I've ever played. Some courses are great with the views and they have some bad holes, but Spyglass top to bottom is my favorite course hands down.
What is your favorite club?
"Depends on the day. Right now driver is really good for me. I love my driver, but I also love my putter. I finally got a putter that I love. I have the new Bettinardi Queen Bee putter that I do love. I'm trying to stick with that one for as long as I can, and not just keep on ping-ponging back and forth between putters. My new driver, the Epic, I do love that as well."
What is your most memorable shot?
"This summer at Whistling Straits, I think hole 7. Par 3 over the water, back tee at like 220 into the wind. I mean it's all over water. The caddie said you have to hit a 260 shot and start it 20 yards into Lake Michigan. I hit it 20 yards into Lake Michigan and it just came back to like 3 feet. So that's the moment that comes to mind right now, that was like a big hybrid at 7 at Whistling Straits to like 3 feet to that back right pin and tapped in for birdie so that one was nice."
What are your personal goals for the year?
"I would like to play in as many tournaments as possible. Step one is to make the first tournament roster, and then make as many as I can. I'd like to make at least over half of them. Hopefully I'll make the majority of all the tournaments next semester and make the Pac-12 roster.
Who are your sports role models?
"If we're talking strictly golf, Tiger Woods. I love Tiger, and watching him play for so long and be so intimidating and just being able to do what he could on the golf course was unbelievable.Watching the shots he could make, you thought he was never out of a tournament. Overall, there's a lot of hockey players I like. I love Rick Nash. He plays all three zones of the ice unbelievably well. I always look for the people who play a full 60 minutes, a full 200-foot game. I like people who work for 60 minutes. If you're going to play, play hard, play the right way. Rick Nash was one, Alex Steen,who's on the Blues right now, which is my favorite team. He's unbelievable too. Those are the people I really enjoy."
For more information and updates about the University of Arizona's Golf Team, follow @ArizonaMGolf on Twitter, @ArizonaGolf on Instagram, and at ArizonaWildcats.com
