With one tournament left before the Big Ten championships, senior Anna Laorr’s four-year collegiate career is coming to a close.
She has been a staple on the travel team all four seasons, and recently, she has been leading the team on and off the course.
“She’s been very consistent and has been hitting a lot of greens and fairways,” head coach Michele Redman said. “She is maturing and controlling her emotions very well.”
After a four-month break between fall and spring season, Laorr struggled in the first tournament before turning it up later on.
She shot a combined 2-over par in the first two rounds but stumbled in the third. She finished with a 9-over par in difficult weather conditions.
“The third round was super windy, and I don’t think I was used to competing for three days,” Laorr said. “It takes a lot to focus for three days, and I was still getting in the swing of things.”
Now, Laorr has the lowest average spring score on the team at 73.50.
During the nearly four-month break, Laorr used her time off to make corrections to her swing and the way she acts during competition.
“In the offseason, I was trying to make miracles happen with the expectation to play better,” Laorr said. “I made sure I was feeling more comfortable on the course and accepting a par as a good score.”
Besides the fact that she’s recognized that her days as a Minnesota golfer are limited, Laorr’s offseason preparation has helped her finish
strong.
“I’ve been more consistent producing low rounds,” Laorr said. “But part of it, too, is to take every tournament as its own. I’m nearing the end of the tunnel with my career, so I’m just enjoying my time left.”
But before Laorr leaves the University of Minnesota, she and her fellow seniors hope to make a lasting impact on the program and help its future golfers.
“We want to show them the progress we’ve built,” Laorr said. “My freshman year was a transition year with a new coach, and we really wanted to rebuild the program.”
And to leave a legacy the seniors are proud of, they must show leadership on and off the course.
Laorr specifically has stepped into that role this year.
“I lead by example with my attitude and course management,” Laorr said. “I never give up and play smart golf, which is the golf I have learned from former teammates.”
Laorr said she brings a competitive nature to the game.
“I want to win, and I fight for every shot,” she said. “I have a fire attitude, and I never give up.”
Despite Laorr’s intense approach to competitions, when it comes to practice, she’s a little more lighthearted.
“She brings humor and a positive attitude to practice and always tries to keep it interesting,” freshman Celia Kuenster said.
Besides helping the team’s younger players improve this season, Laorr’s fun-loving attitude has helped keep things in perspective.
“I try to make everything fun and be the supporter for the team,” Laorr said. “Because in reality, it is just golf.”
