University of Tennessee Athletics
Get To Know Your Lady Vols: Chessey Thomas
September 26, 2012 | Women's Golf
Sept. 26, 2012
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee golfer Chessey Thomas begins the 2012-13 season as the lone junior on the squad. The Spokane, Wash., native plays a positive role on the UT team, keeping things in perspective with her light-heartedness.
Thomas finished in a tie for 54th place in the first tournament of the year, the Cougar Classic. She has lowered her scoring average every season, and completed her sophomore campaign with a 74.33 scoring average.
Thomas and the Lady Vols return to action Oct. 5 in Athens, Ga., at the Liz Murphey Fall Preview. UTSports.com caught up with Thomas to ask her about her junior season and several other topics.
Why did you want to become a Lady Vol?
I think that the culture that surrounds the University of Tennessee and its athletics is like non-other in the country. I got an email from Judi my junior year and she was like `you should come to this football game' and it was the Florida game. I had no clue what I was getting myself into. That first weekend was so representative of this school and what being an athlete here means. It's been interesting and great, but I've loved every second of it. Now my friends know where Tennessee is on the map back home. They understand that it's in the South.
If you could steal a part of any one of your teammate's golf game, what would you take and from who?
I think everyone is a better putter than I am. If I could make the same putts Erica (Popson) does, or Ashlee (Pickering) or A.J. (Newell) or Sara (Monberg) does, then I would. I would steal someone's putting for sure.
Who has been the most influential on your golf game?
Definitely my high school golf coach. Her name is Michelle Grafos. She's been a huge part of my golf life and my life in general. My parents obviously, so those three people have been by far the most influential to me.
Do you have any rituals or superstitions before each round or tournament?
I think to use the same ball marker until I lose it. I had one that I used for probably about six years and I finally lost it last spring. I found a coin in the airport and I've been using that one since Regionals. I always make sure I make three putts in a row before I leave the putting green. Those are the only ones I'm willing to give away.
What are your goals with golf?
I think both short and long-term is to just enjoy playing golf. It's a blessing to be able to play college golf. I just want to enjoy it and play as long as I possibly can. If I get to play professionally, then that's great. But if not, then I know that God is going to do something else with my life besides golf and I'm okay with that.
How do you bounce back from a bad hole or bad round?
After a bad hole, I get a little mad at myself for a few seconds. I usually give myself that walk from the green to the next tee box. I can be angry and after that I tell myself I'm even par even if I'm not, and just try to get back to square one. I definitely go through some emotion, to just not care it makes it worse for me.
If you could play a round with anyone, who would it be?
Probably my dad still. When I was growing up, he and I played a lot together on our own. I'd probably still say my dad because I don't get to see him as often as I'd like.
What is your favorite course you've ever played on?
My freshman year we went to Pebble Beach and played before we played at Stanford. That was definitely a highlight. It was just a beautiful, fun day. I probably shot a really bad score, but I was just having so much fun. It was a really great experience to us to have as a team.
What is your favorite golf club?
My favorite is still my seven iron. It's a good, mid iron. I had my first collegiate hole-in-one with it my freshman year and that was pretty cool for me. It was in Washington, so that made it extra special so that's still my favorite club.
What has been your favorite golf moment at UT?
I think on the individual level, that was my favorite. As a team, last year at (NCAA) Regionals after the third round, we had a really good team effort the last day. I think that was huge for our team to see ourselves playing that well on such a tough course. I remember how happy Judi was. She was giddy. It was really funny to watch her on the bus kind of prancing around so that was pretty cool.
Who were your sports idols growing up?
I'm not really sure. My dad told me he won a gold medal and I believed him until I was eight. So I guess my dad would be. My parents had the biggest influence on me and a lot of my friends in high school and growing up, we pushed each other.
When you were five, what did you want to be?
I thought I was going to be the first woman to be in the NBA and I stopped growing in the seventh grade. It kind of shifted, but I definitely thought I was going to be a basketball superstar growing up.
