By Mathew Starner

Golfer Grace Caird ’13 has placed ninth and fourth in the past two tournaments Macalester has entered. In fact, this past weekend Caird posted a 36-hole total score of 164, a personal best. Now, she has her sights set on qualifying for Nationals. The Mac Weekly caught up with Caird to talk about her game and recent success on the course.

How did you get into golf?

My aunt and uncle were managers of a golf course, and because they were managers, we would play golf for free. When I first started to play golf, I hated it. But then I started to get a little better.

What drew you to play at Mac?

I just heard good things about Macalester College in general and always wanted to play golf in college. D III golf is perfect, not too competitive. I heard really good things about Martha, our coach, as well. She’s pretty famous.

What is your favorite shot?

Oh, that’s a tough one. I like hitting a 56-degree wedge over water or bunker. It’s tricky. It’s a hard shot but really rewarding when you pull it off.

Already having some success this year, what kinds of goals do you have for the rest of the year?

I proved to myself I could shoot in the 70’s in competition, so I just want to keep playing solid golf and hopefully qualify for Nationals.

And goals before you leave Macalester?

Definitely qualify for Nationals at least once. And I’d want to shoot even par in a round. But also keep fostering a good environment on the team, I love both teams, men’s and women’s. Being captain is really fun.

Best part of Mac golf?

Preseason. We get to come in like three weeks early and play every single day and practice everyday. It’s a lot of fun

What is the coolest place that golf has taken you.

I’d like to say St. Andrews in Scotland – but I haven’t been there yet. All my dad’s friends are members there, so I could play out there for free. It’s potential. He says it’ll happen.

Aspiring to St. Andrews is one of them, but I would say probably to the PGA Championship at Whistling Straights.