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Isabella McCauley was at peace with whatever results transpired last week at the NCAA Regionals in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Surrounded by family and coaches and playing alongside teammate Luisamariana Mesones, McCauley found herself thinking, “if this is the end of my college career for me, this would be a great way to go out, as well.”
Sure, the Gophers senior was aiming for a third and final trip to NCAA Nationals, but acknowledged the deck is stacked against individuals in the format. Only the top finishing player in the entire field not on a qualifying team advances through.
For the Inver Grove Heights product, there’s something freeing about the severity of the challenge.
“It’s so hard to make it … there’s really no expectations or pressure in my mind,” McCauley said. “It’s really freed me up to do that, which I think has probably contributed to why I’ve played pretty decently at regionals in the past, is just going out there and I’ve really felt no pressure. I’m just trying to go out there, play for fun and see where the chips fall.”
In the end, the stars aligned again – a product of the Gophers star’s doing. She overcame a slow start in Round 1 to finish 3-under for the event and grab the lone individual qualifying spot.
“Obviously, when I found out I qualified,” McCauley said, “it was really special.”
Because the top players and teams in the country will converge on Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, California starting with Friday’s first round. That’s where a player of McCauley’s caliber belongs.
She carries the same mentality into nationals she sported at regionals. She’d love to make the 54-hole cut at the championship for her first time in three tries – the top nine individuals advance to Monday’s final round alongside the 15 remaining teams – but won’t live and die with that result.
“Ultimately it is my last tournament and I’m just trying to have a good time. My family will be out there and my coaches. I’m just really excited for a really special weekend,” McCauley said. “I get to go play the game I love and have a really fun weekend, so I’m just excited for that.”
She’ll do so sporting the Minnesota “M,” which has long been a point of pride for McCauley, who noted it’s been “so special” to represent her home state throughout her career.
“I’m from here, born and raised in Minnesota, and I’ve always had just a special love for Minnesota sports and Minnesota golf, especially,” McCauley said. “Being able to play for the U of M and represent them all these years, it’s been, honestly, an honor for me.
“Having my family be able to come to tournaments, wearing the maroon and gold, that’s been so cool to see. I know a lot of other Minnesotans that play at the U feel the same way, but there’s nothing like representing your home state and, and that’s something you’ll have forever. Having the support of your friends and family locally here, it’s been really cool.”
McCauley has thoroughly enjoyed the team aspect of college golf, noting the meals and long travel days spent with her teammates – including her sister, Reese – represent her best memories. It’s one way in which college has shifted McCauley’s perspective.
She still wants to do her best, play at a high level and compete for the game’s top honors. But she realizes there are countless other quality players in the same boat. So she’s not nearly as hard on herself when she falls short of aspirations as she was dating back to high school.
In that way, her relationship with this lifelong sport is as healthy as it’s ever been. McCauley’s love and appreciation for golf are aging like a fine wine.
“Looking back on my 15 years of golf, the coolest thing is just how many people I’ve been able to meet through this game,” she said, “and that’s just so cool.”
McCauley feels fortunate that, unlike many of her fellow athlete friends at the U who will soon be done playing their respective sports, golf will never leave her, even when she stops playing at the highest competitive levels.
But even that moment isn’t imminent. After nationals, McCauley plans to train this summer in preparation for LPGA Q-School, a three-round qualifier in which players can earn exemptions into the Epson Tour – the LPGA’s primary feeder tour – as well as the LPGA Tour itself.
“I’m going to see how it goes, try to give it a run at it. … Definitely wanted to just give it a try,” McCauley said of chasing her pro dream. “It’s definitely a grind out there. … Everyone is in the same boat, everyone is really good players. It’ll be interesting. I really wanted to try and give it an effort. Obviously, it’s going to be really tough, so I think I’ll have a very similar mentality as I do right now heading into nationals – try my best and see where the chips fall.”
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Surrounded by family and coaches and playing alongside teammate Luisamariana Mesones, McCauley found herself thinking, “if this is the end of my college career for me, this would be a great way to go out, as well.”
Sure, the Gophers senior was aiming for a third and final trip to NCAA Nationals, but acknowledged the deck is stacked against individuals in the format. Only the top finishing player in the entire field not on a qualifying team advances through.
For the Inver Grove Heights product, there’s something freeing about the severity of the challenge.
“It’s so hard to make it … there’s really no expectations or pressure in my mind,” McCauley said. “It’s really freed me up to do that, which I think has probably contributed to why I’ve played pretty decently at regionals in the past, is just going out there and I’ve really felt no pressure. I’m just trying to go out there, play for fun and see where the chips fall.”
In the end, the stars aligned again – a product of the Gophers star’s doing. She overcame a slow start in Round 1 to finish 3-under for the event and grab the lone individual qualifying spot.
“Obviously, when I found out I qualified,” McCauley said, “it was really special.”
Because the top players and teams in the country will converge on Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, California starting with Friday’s first round. That’s where a player of McCauley’s caliber belongs.
She carries the same mentality into nationals she sported at regionals. She’d love to make the 54-hole cut at the championship for her first time in three tries – the top nine individuals advance to Monday’s final round alongside the 15 remaining teams – but won’t live and die with that result.
“Ultimately it is my last tournament and I’m just trying to have a good time. My family will be out there and my coaches. I’m just really excited for a really special weekend,” McCauley said. “I get to go play the game I love and have a really fun weekend, so I’m just excited for that.”
She’ll do so sporting the Minnesota “M,” which has long been a point of pride for McCauley, who noted it’s been “so special” to represent her home state throughout her career.
“I’m from here, born and raised in Minnesota, and I’ve always had just a special love for Minnesota sports and Minnesota golf, especially,” McCauley said. “Being able to play for the U of M and represent them all these years, it’s been, honestly, an honor for me.
“Having my family be able to come to tournaments, wearing the maroon and gold, that’s been so cool to see. I know a lot of other Minnesotans that play at the U feel the same way, but there’s nothing like representing your home state and, and that’s something you’ll have forever. Having the support of your friends and family locally here, it’s been really cool.”
McCauley has thoroughly enjoyed the team aspect of college golf, noting the meals and long travel days spent with her teammates – including her sister, Reese – represent her best memories. It’s one way in which college has shifted McCauley’s perspective.
She still wants to do her best, play at a high level and compete for the game’s top honors. But she realizes there are countless other quality players in the same boat. So she’s not nearly as hard on herself when she falls short of aspirations as she was dating back to high school.
In that way, her relationship with this lifelong sport is as healthy as it’s ever been. McCauley’s love and appreciation for golf are aging like a fine wine.
“Looking back on my 15 years of golf, the coolest thing is just how many people I’ve been able to meet through this game,” she said, “and that’s just so cool.”
McCauley feels fortunate that, unlike many of her fellow athlete friends at the U who will soon be done playing their respective sports, golf will never leave her, even when she stops playing at the highest competitive levels.
But even that moment isn’t imminent. After nationals, McCauley plans to train this summer in preparation for LPGA Q-School, a three-round qualifier in which players can earn exemptions into the Epson Tour – the LPGA’s primary feeder tour – as well as the LPGA Tour itself.
“I’m going to see how it goes, try to give it a run at it. … Definitely wanted to just give it a try,” McCauley said of chasing her pro dream. “It’s definitely a grind out there. … Everyone is in the same boat, everyone is really good players. It’ll be interesting. I really wanted to try and give it an effort. Obviously, it’s going to be really tough, so I think I’ll have a very similar mentality as I do right now heading into nationals – try my best and see where the chips fall.”
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