Take a step backwards, look around; a circumspective view, if
you will. Look up, a beautiful expanse of terrain and green. And
above it, paradoxically incongruous and fitting, the legendary
Hollywood sign. Behind the carefully planted precision of trees
within the Wilshire Country Club, and surrounding it, is the world
of Los Angeles as we know it.
The pristine view cannot be understated as far as Susie Mathews
is concerned. The freshman arrived at the UCLA campus in early
September to begin her first year on the women’s golf team.
“It was the closest “˜uni’ from home, in
Adelaide, Australia,” Mathews laughingly said, giving her
reason for coming to UCLA. “Yeah, and I thought,
I’d love to be a Bruin.”
Mathews’ talent has led her to accomplish extraordinary
things. While enjoying tennis, badminton, swimming and
squash, she excelled in golf after picking up the sport at the age
of 12.Â
“I like golf especially because you can play it your whole
life; all levels can compete together,” Mathews said.
“It’s a social sport, but it’s also very
competitive. I love everything about it.”
Mathews was recruited by Australia’s prestigious Institute
of Sport in Melbourne, which takes the top athletes in the country
to train them in their individual skills. Besides practicing golf
for four hours a day with other world-class athletes, Mathews
studied subjects ranging from nutrition to psychology.Â
Mathews’ achievements also reveal the extent of her
capabilities. She recalls her proudest moment ““ this past
summer she entered the professional Kalmar Ladies Open in Sweden
and took first place, firing 74-69-70Â for a total of 213
““ three under par.
It was an opportunity to play against the best golfers in the
world, and this win helped Mathews become the reserve player for
the Australian World Cup team.
“My goals are to help the team, and enjoy every moment I
have over here, and meet as many people as I can,” she said.
“I also want to play to have
fun.”  Â
Understandably, Mathews must adjust to life in Southern
California. The cars move on the wrong side of the street,
the metric system is turned on its head with the introduction of
gallons, miles and degrees Fahrenheit. Limousines speed by on
Sunset and Sepulveda boulevards daily, but barely make anyone else
blink.Â
“The UCLA campus is about the size of my hometown,”
Mathews said. “I look forward to watching the other sports
and live matches on campus, just walking around and exploring
everything.”
Women’s head golf coach Carrie Leary sees Mathews as a key
part of the team. “She’s got the ability, and she
shoots the numbers that should put her as one of the best players
in the nation,” Leary said.
Mathews describes herself as an athlete with all of the
essential characteristics that make up an intense competitor.
“I’m very organized, very practical, and I always do
things to the best of my ability. I’m always a
perfectionist,” Mathews said. “Athletes got to know
what they’re doing, and they’re very
motivated.”
She specifically points out that, when she gets onto the course,
her concentration narrows to something she calls “tunnel
vision.”
While it’s easy to get distracted or pressured by the
expectations that come with being a top recruit, Mathews simply
blocks out noise from the crowds or other potential obstacles by
focusing on a point of perspective.
“Tunnel vision is where I see the pin, and see what I need
to see. I learn how to zone in, zone out and just focus on the
shot,” Mathews said.
“I think I’m like all other athletes. It takes
motivation and dedication, and if you have both, you will
succeed.”
Mathews sees UCLA as “absolutely diverse,” and knows
that she has the same interests and determination of her fellow
athletes.
Sharing her differences with other Bruins, and yet slightly
removed by the unfamiliarity of the L.A. surroundings, Mathews
takes the greatest opportunity to appreciate all that is here,
finding her place in the glorious rush of California smog or
traffic, taking her step forward ““ with a golf club in
hand.