April 19, 2010
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Junior Brianna Malcolmson
Junior Brianna Malcolmson is a native of Murwillumbah, Australia. She has competed in 16 rounds in six tournaments for the Nittany Lions this season. She currently holds an 81.6 strokes-per-round average, and has shot a season-best round of 78 three times. Her career-best round of 68 last season is a team best.
Q: How did you first get involved in the game of golf?
A: My parents saw an ad in the paper for golf lessons for junior girls with the local golf club. They asked me whether I wanted to play golf and I said, `yeah that sounds really fun.'
Q: When was your first competitive golf experience?
A: Probably when I was around 10 or 11. I played in a junior tournament, a nine hole junior tournament, at a golf club near me. I got the handicap winner.
Q: What are some challenges you have had to overcome either on or off of the golf course at Penn State?
A: One was to play in the wind at Purdue. Also, just bringing myself to a new level. Outside of junior golf there is a new range of competition with a lot of girls who are going to turn pro as soon as they finish their college career, so just adjusting to that level and bringing myself up to it.
Q: What is your most memorable experience at Penn State?
A: One was when I was down at a golf course in Florida (Canes and Cardinal Classic last season) and I shot a 68, which was my career low score. I went the whole way around and I was like, `I'm going good.' I just pretended that I was just playing, just doing alright. I didn't show anyone that I was going really good and then I got to the end and everyone was like, `wow, really?` The other one was when I was at Bucknell in the final round. I was just in the zone, couldn't hit a shot bad and came in with an even par.
Q: Do you have any role models?
A: I've always thought that Stuart Appleby and Robert Allenby were good guys. I've met them a few times through junior tournaments and they're always willing to come out and work with the kids. That's really inspiring to junior kids who are just starting to learn and want to get better.
Q: What are some lessons you have learned since coming to Penn State?
A: I've learned that you have got to look at everything in the big picture. There's no point in getting caught up in little details and remember that you're still alive, so be happy.
Q: What do you do for fun outside of golf?
A: Play poker, Texas Hold `em. I've got my school work. I enjoy some of the classes I'm taking in security and risk analysis.
Q: What do you want to accomplish at Penn State?
A: I want to win a golf tournament and I want to be able to work on my physical fitness and help to achieve what I really want in that area while I'm doing everything so that I know that I can continue that after I finish college.
Q: What are your plans for after Penn State?
A: I'm still unsure. Hit the tour, I suppose, play professionally.
Q: What is something you couldn't live without?
A: I would have to say it would ice cream. I like all ice cream, ice cream in copious amounts.