MADISON, Wis.— Mackenzie Hahn, a senior from Spring Grove, Illinois, shares with us a look into her life as a Badger.

Who taught you how to play?
My dad and brother got me started and then my swing coach, Kiel Alderink, has been teaching me since seventh grade.

What's your favorite tournament you've played in?
The Schooner Fall Classic. The whole tournament was fun. It was hosted by (country music star) Toby Keith's foundation and the Kids Korral, so we were able to give back a little bit as well. We also got to eat at Toby Keith's house, so that was pretty cool too.

What is something golf has taught you?
Golf has taught me a lot of things that most other sports cannot. Unlike most sports, golf is a slow-paced game, so the first thing I learned was patience. Whether it is waiting for your opponents to hit and not getting anxious or having the patience to accept frustration if things are not going your way, while having the belief that things could turn around on the next hole. Golf has also taught me honesty. It is a game of honor because someone is not always watching you, so there is mutual respect amongst competitors to follow the rules and be truthful. Lastly, golf has taught me to accept things which are out of my control. For example, when you are on the course, you cannot control the weather, all you can do is play through adversity and accept that everyone else is battling the same conditions.

Why did you choose to attend Wisconsin?
When I first started looking at colleges, I always knew I wanted to attend a larger school because I went to a small high school and was looking for a change. I grew up going to Badger games with my family, particularly my grandparents, so I have always had strong ties to Camp Randall and campus as a whole. From those experiences, I fell in love with the school spirit, atmosphere, and what is offered here at UW. Not only was having the opportunity to play collegiate athletics a strong influence, but the reputable academic programs and diverse majors to pick from were major contributors to my decision.

What are you looking forward to in the upcoming season?
I am looking forward to being able to travel with my teammates and be in a competitive atmosphere again.