Kolton Lapa is a junior golfer from Mesa, Arizona. Lapa began his collegiate career at the University of Nebraska before coming to the University of Arizona in 2013. We met with Kolton before he left for Palo Alto to play in The Goodwin tournament on Thursday, March 26.
ArizonaWidcats.com: What are your emotions like going into a tournament? In particular, The Goodwin this weekend.
Lapa: My emotions going into this tournament are a lot like all the other tournaments we play. This one might be a little different considering I missed the last tournament which is only the second time I have missed a college tournament and it is one of the worst feelings I can have. I’m excited to be able to travel with my teammates to a great golf course at Stanford University.
ArizonaWidcats.com: Is the travel to an away tournament a taxing experience? Do you think it affects your play?
Lapa: The travel can take a toll on your body, but I try and keep as loose as I can. Flying on an airplane can mentally and physically drain you. I know a lot of our guys like to get into the hotel gym right when we get there to keep loose. Personally, I don’t think it messes with how I play. Golf is a mental sport so in my mind as long as I stay mentally strong I will have a good event.
ArizonaWidcats.com: What makes a course high quality in your opinion?
Lapa: In my opinion, a course with really nice fairways and greens really makes a golf course. It is always a challenge playing with bad greens but we travel to some of the best events in the nation so we are very lucky with the golf courses we play.
ArizonaWidcats.com: You usually play alongside players from other schools. What is that interaction like?
Lapa: The interaction between other players is pretty easy. I am an outgoing person, while I play I like to hold conversations with them. This really helps me personally because it takes my mind off my score for a few minutes while walking to my golf ball. It is always nice to hear their backgrounds and stories while in college as well.
ArizonaWidcats.com: What's your favorite shot in golf? Is there a particular approach you like?
Lapa: Favorite shot in golf, this is a tough one. I am a big fan of really all the shots in golf but my favorite shot is when I am in the lead coming down the 18th hole and I am standing on the tee box knowing I need to hit a good drive down the middle of the fairway. I have a lot of good memories of good drives I’ve hit to put me in a good position to win the golf tournament.
ArizonaWidcats.com: What do you think are the strongest and weakest parts of your game and why?
Lapa: The strongest part of my game is my ball striking. I hit the ball very consistently on the middle of the clubface. Also driving the golf ball is a strong part of my game. The weakest part of my game is chipping. Unfortunately, it has been subpar at best for about two years now but I have dedicated this spring season to changing that and I believe I have made some great progress.
ArizonaWidcats.com: The game of golf is one of class and, to an extent, elegance. Is this aspect of the game important to you?
Lapa: The game of golf is all about class and respect. When playing, it is important to be respectful to your playing partners and also to the volunteers putting on the event. If you think about it, a lot of the events we play would not be as good without the volunteers' help so I believe the game of golf is all out of respect and class.
ArizonaWidcats.com: What sort of weather do you prefer to play in?
Lapa: My favorite weather to play golf in is 65 degrees and completely cloudy. No rain, but just a very cloudy day with no wind.
ArizonaWidcats.com: What is your favorite sport to watch? Team? Player?
Lapa: My favorite sport to watch is college football. I would say my favorite team to watch would be the University of Arizona football team. It is hard to ever cheer for someone more than your own school. My favorite player to watch goes back a couple years. I loved watching Johnny Manziel play in college. By far, one of the most fun college players to watch.
ArizonaWidcats.com: Can you describe how you warm up each day before a round?
Lapa: A normal warm up before my round would be putting for 20 minutes, chipping for 15 minutes and then hit balls for 20 minutes and I head to the tee after I hit balls.
ArizonaWidcats.com: How do you feel about players being required to walk the course in NCAA golf?
Lapa: I don’t really mind. I have always grown up walking while I play tournaments and I know I will have to walk in tournaments once I turn professional. It is just part of the game.
ArizonaWidcats.com: What do you do when you need to unwind?
Lapa: There are a lot of things I like to do to unwind. I like spending time with my roommate Nate Berman and my teammates. Our team is very close so we enjoy hanging out with each other when we can. I would say my favorite thing to do though if I need to unwind is spend time with my girlfriend. She is a lot of fun to be around and she always knows how to make me laugh after a long day of golf, school or other things going on in my life.
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