10 Questions with Men's Golfer Jamie Lightsey
11/1/2007 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
Nov. 1, 2007
SPARTANBURG, S.C. - USC Upstate junior men's golfer Jamie Lightsey tries to enjoy the lighter side of life. This includes breaking to some popular dance moves when he is around his teammates to help keep them loose and worry-free. Lightsey also enjoys competing on the golf course, racking up an 18th-place finish at the Rutgers Invitational on Sept. 15, helping the Spartans to a first-place finish in their first Division I golf tournament. His stroke average has improved in each of his first two seasons and he was a member of last season's team that was the Division II National Runner-up.
Recently, Lightsey sat down with Adam Walker of upstatespartans.com to talk about his golf game, his favorite course he has played at this fall, and the latest dance moves.
US.com: What was it like being part of a team that had so much success last season?
Jamie Lightsey: It felt really good and it was a privilege to be on the team. I didn't get to go to nationals and I was disappointed at first, but I when I was following the team on the internet, I felt like I was right there with them. I called them everyday and talked to them for about an hour or two each day and got updates about what was going on. I felt like we made a name for ourselves as well. Now, people know who Upstate is when you talk about golf.
US.com: Do you think the success from last season has helped in the team's transition to Division I?
JL: Definitely because the first tournament we went to at the Rutgers Invitational, the coach from Longwood came up and said that we were the team to beat since we were the Division II National Runner-up last year. It created some expectations, but I think we've lived up to them.
US.com: How do you feel about where your golf game is right now?
JL: It could definitely be a lot better, but I think its made some improvements from my freshman year and the end of last year. I had to rededicate myself and I played in a lot of tournaments this summer. I've worked hard and I feel like I'm more consistent and helping the team more.
US.com: What has been your favorite course in the tournaments Upstate has played in this fall?
JL: Probably the Yale Golf Course up in New Haven, Conn., at the MacDonald Cup. I think it was built in the 1920s and it hasn't been touched at all. It's stayed the same and withstood the test of time and new equipment. It's not about bombing drives out there. The green complexes are crazy and you have to keep it in play and put it in the right spots on the greens or it will get you. It was a very fun course to play.
US.com: When and why did you start playing golf?
JL: I don't remember exactly when, but I guess it was when I started walking. My dad introduced me to the game and ever since I could walk, I've been playing. He would take me out to the golf course on the weekends when he would be playing with his buddies and it just went from there.
US.com: Is there more pressure when you have to focus on your individual performance for 18 holes and think about the team aspect of the tournament as well?
JL: I think that's why you see a lot of people who are a lot better individual players than they are college golf players. It's a lot of pressure when you are playing for more than just yourself. I kind of like it because I'm on a team with so many good players that if I was having a so-so round individually, I can say it'll be all right. But I know that if I'm having a so-so round with the team, it might not even count and it pushes to get a lower score.
US.com: Is it true that you keep up with the latest dance moves?
JL: I do. Michael Lawrence and I have been known to "cut a rug". We've been crankin' the Soulja Boy and the Spider-Man. I've also done the Heisman as well.
US.com: What do your teammates think when you are doing your dance steps?
JL: They like it. You have to keep it light and fun and doing stuff like that helps you build friendships on the team, be more of a team, and you just have to have fun with it.
US.com: What is it like playing for men's golf coach Todd Lawton?
JL: I like playing for him because he's the nicest guy you'll ever meet. He's a family man, has his values in the right place and it makes him really easy to talk to. Even if you don't agree with everything he says, he's open to come and talk to about it and how to make things better.
US.com: Why did you come to Upstate?
JL: I got hooked up with coach Lawton through the former Winthrop golf coach, who is a family friend. I knew coach Lawton when he worked at Regent Park in Fort Mill. I came and liked the campus. I talked with (Athletic Director) Mike Hall, and he just was motivated for where he wanted the athletic department to go. It seemed like the place I needed to be.
