Professional Golfer and Ex MSU Spartan Katie Lu

Meijer LPGA Classic week is here and we chat with ex Spartan Katie Lu who will be playing in this weeks event at Blythefield Country Club. Katie had a stellar college career at Michigan State University and now is pursuing her dreams as a professional golfer.

In this episode we talk her journey from New Jersey to East Lansing, college successes, and her preparations for playing on the LPGA Tour.

Not Salty Golf Podcast is brought to you by Great Lakes Gear and Not Salty Golf.

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Instagram: @glakesgear, @notsaltygolf

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:10

Hey everyone, and welcome back to the Not Salty Golf Podcast. Thanks for being with us for another episode. This week we have Katie Lou uh as a guest on the podcast. And Katie is playing in the Meyer LPGA event in Grand Rapids, Michigan. They're at Blyfield Country Club. And so we thought it just fitting that we get Katie on here to talk a little bit about her experience of playing in past LPGA events and what she's looking forward to as far as playing in this year's LPGA Meyer Classic event. And so Katie's a great guest, so thanks for being with us. Um it's also a big week. The manor at the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills, uh around here in West Michigan. We just wrapped up the Grand Rapids City match play. Uh a bunch of our kids competed in we had 14 players make the cut at the Michigan Open. And so uh a big week for us up there at the Michigan Open. So we're excited about that. So again, thanks for all the support and thanks for coming on and listening to this episode. And so let's dive right in. Thanks. Hey everybody, welcome back to the Not Salty Podcast. G Money this week. We have Katie Lou, the Katie Lou, one of my faves on team Great Lakes Skier. Uh, you know, she's got a lot of things going on, but she's one of our faves, and she's been a huge huge supporter of ours. So thanks for coming on, Katie. Um, we appreciate having you. So thanks for being here.

SPEAKER_01 1:44

Thanks for having me. I'm excited.

SPEAKER_00 1:46

Yeah. Um, we have a lot to get into. We wanted to get Katie on this podcast right away because Katie is playing in the Meyer LPGA event uh at Blyfield. And so when you're listening to this, there'll be just a few days away that you'll be able to get out to Blyfield and watch Katie uh on the golf course. And so we wanted to get her on. Um, so let's dive right in. Katie, why don't you just give our listeners an overview? Um, how did you get into golf? Uh, you're from New Jersey, so let's talk a little bit about that growing up there. But how you got into golf and and then you know how you got to the great state of Michigan?

SPEAKER_01 2:29

Yeah, so I um didn't grow up in a golf household, but my parents never touched a golf club before. Um, and I grew up playing golf with my little brother, Jerry. And I think, yeah, I was 10 years old, and my mom decided to sign us up for a golf camp that was 20 minutes away from our house. Um, and at first my brother and I did not want to go um just because never really was surrounded by golfers at all. So, like in our head, we had like, you know, the typical golf stereotypes. Um, and so we ended up going for a week and then just really, I really enjoyed whacking golf balls on the range and just spending the whole day outside, playing with the kids and just having fun, which I think is why um I got into the sport in the first place, just because it was fun, it was a good time, nothing serious. Um, and yeah, so like starting when I was 10 and then slowly got into, you know, like the first T, um, PGA junior league, the US kids, AGGAs, all that good stuff. Um, and then come my junior year of high school. I was um in the recruiting process and Michigan State was recruiting me. They were a top 15 um school at the time. Um, and I was just super excited when they got back to me. Um, Coach Caroline came out to watch me play, and then we arranged the whole visit. Um, I got to meet uh Coach Stacy in person too. And I remember I had like three visits planned after that one, but I just I enjoyed East Lancing so much. I committed, I think it was only like two days afterwards, and I was itching to commit that day after I left too. But my parents were like, all right, like slow down now. We need to think of a few things, but it was one of the best decisions of my life. And I'm not just saying that, like the four years at Michigan State have really been something special for me. And um, yeah, I just I'm a different person, I'm a different golfer because of it.

SPEAKER_00 4:31

That's awesome. Before we move on, let we can acknowledge that your little brother isn't so much little anymore, he's at West Point, correct?

SPEAKER_01 4:42

Yes, he's a junior year.

SPEAKER_00 4:44

Yeah, and I see, you know, like just some of the social media stuff. Um he's big into fitness and running and all of that. And so the he's yeah, he's not your little brother anymore.

SPEAKER_01 4:58

Actually, that reminds me, Mike. I think we first like got introduced with each other because you saw something that I posted on Instagram for my brother's um one of his marathons that he was doing to support the army and fallen soldiers, and you had donated to his um campaign and we didn't even know each other. I think that's how we first met.

SPEAKER_00 5:19

Well, I I probably followed you because we started working with Shannon Kennedy.

SPEAKER_02 5:24

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 5:24

And then, you know, when you're the algorithms on Instagram and stuff, like since we were following her and she played golf at Michigan State University, then all of a sudden other golfers from Michigan State University started popping up, and then yeah, I think I saw a lot of your stuff, and a lot of the guys like we work with had talked. I I had heard of your name a lot from the people that I was knew at Michigan State within the golf program, men and women, and so yeah, I think we did, and that that was awesome. But um no, he's at West Point. What's his plan after? We'll touch on that.

SPEAKER_01 6:01

What's his plan after what's um he still has some time to decide, but right now he wants to go into infantry. Um, it's either that or cyber security, so we will see. Definitely not golf for him.

SPEAKER_00 6:14

Okay, so gee, money. Uh, before you uh get a crack at this, um, my last question for now, Katie, would be you go to East Lansing from New Jersey, play golf at Michigan State University. Uh, what was that experience like for you? Just coming as a freshman in the four years, give us a snapshot of what those four years were like in the experiences you had there.

SPEAKER_01 6:41

Um, yeah, I mean, I was used to being, you know, the best player on my high school team, one of the best players coming out of New Jersey. And then I go to Michigan State, and Stacy does a phenomenal job every year recruiting top players. Um, and I got there, didn't really know what to expect, um, played qualifying and had a really hard time making the lineup my fall season. I ended up only playing one event and then slowly made my way into the lineup um spring season and just grinded it out. Um, grew a lot my freshman year, learned a lot of things about, you know, like controlling my golf game and not just hitting it a mile and just going wherever it goes. Um, and then sophomore year, it was a okay season, just you know, kept sticking to the process. And then finally, junior year, it kind of came together for me. Um, and that was my best season of college golf. And then um senior year was great too. So it was definitely a slow progression for me in college.

SPEAKER_03 7:45

Gee, what you got? It's another common theme, McGee. We talked about with DeLong and with Ari and just the slow burn of kind of how these golfers all came to elevate their careers. Um, this is a fun episode for me, McGee, because I think I like Katie and I have never met. So just like the listeners, I'm getting to know Katie along the way. And so, first question is how long ago? When did you graduate, Katie?

SPEAKER_01 8:11

Um, I graduated this past May, so I'm uh one year graduated, which is crazy to say out loud.

SPEAKER_03 8:18

Gotcha. Yeah, how well how fast did that year go by?

SPEAKER_01 8:22

So fast.

SPEAKER_02 8:24

Wow.

SPEAKER_03 8:25

Um, you've mentioned something at the very beginning I kind of wanted to hit back on, and you your kind of introduction to golf and the golf camp and hitting balls on the range, and it was casual and fun. Um, for you, when did the game become more than casual and fun? When did you know that you didn't want to just be an average golfer and you wanted to pursue the the path that you've pursued today?

SPEAKER_01 8:46

Um I think when I was about 14 years old is when I realized that there could be a future for me in this game. Um I started working with a lot of different coaches, and I was lucky to be surrounded by people that had more belief in me than I did in myself at the time. And they all really pushed for me to, you know, like set those goals of playing college golf, and then after that, professional golf. So um, yeah, it definitely took a little bit um for me to be convinced. And then when I was in, I was all in.

SPEAKER_03 9:20

Sure. And what was that convincing like? What did they need to convince you of? Or what did you need to convince yourself of?

SPEAKER_01 9:27

I think for me, especially in college, um after my junior year, it proved to me that I can compete with the best. Um, especially right now, the girls competing in college. I mean, everyone's just so good, and even more so in professional golf. But I think I proved to myself that I am able to live the lifestyle. I enjoy the lifestyle of a pre professional golfer. I like the travel and I like the pressure. I think that was the biggest thing too. And just like the grind and process of it all, I think that's what really convinced me.

SPEAKER_03 10:02

Okay. That's so cool. I love that. And then uh only graduating a year ago, did you make that jump to professional golf immediately after graduation?

SPEAKER_01 10:12

So I went through a small hand injury um after graduating. So I ended up not playing the summer. And then after I overcame the injury, I immediately turned pro um and I started playing. Um, and now I I'm on the WAPT tour, which is sponsored by the Annika Foundation. Um, and through that, we get like Epson Tour exemptions. Um, I'm able to get some LPGA exemptions like the Meyer. Um, and yeah, I've been I've just been going full professional golf tournament schedule, and it's my first time doing it. And yeah, I'm learning a lot for sure.

SPEAKER_03 10:49

That's incredible. What's what's that experience been like so far? How many events do you have under your belt? Where have you traveled?

SPEAKER_01 10:55

Um, kind of everywhere. Um I've played six events on the WAPT. I've been to places that I probably would have never been to if I didn't play these tournaments. Um, I mean, Abilene, Texas, Natchez, Mississippi, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, um, Alexandria, Louisiana. Um, I won my first event on the WAPT in Alexandria. So that's definitely a spot I'll never forget. Um, but yeah, just a bunch of different places and just figuring out this whole like travel thing. And now I don't have coach to rely on on all these tickets and just showing up and golfing, and now I have all these other things I have to handle. So it's definitely been a ride.

SPEAKER_03 11:40

That's incredibly cool. That's really cool, Katie. Um, how long ago was that first win?

SPEAKER_01 11:47

Um, it was April, I think it was mid-April. So shoot, not that long ago. Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 11:53

Congratulations.

SPEAKER_01 11:55

Thanks. It was exciting.

SPEAKER_00 11:58

Katie, you applied for and was accepted into a program, correct?

SPEAKER_02 12:04

Yes.

SPEAKER_00 12:05

Can you talk a little bit about that? Because I'm not even familiar completely familiar with it. And I know G Money is not as well, but it's through the Annika Academy or Anica Foundation. Um, can you just talk about the program, the process you went through to apply and get accepted into this?

SPEAKER_01 12:25

Yeah. Um, so it's the Annika Development Program, and it's a program sponsored by the Annika Foundation, and this is Annika Sorin Stands Foundation, along with a golf course here in Aiken, South Carolina called Old Barnwell. Um, and pretty much this uh program sponsors five graduating um seniors that want to turn professional, and they provide us with housing, which has been a huge help. Um, access to the facilities at Old Barnwell. Um, we get a stipend every year. Um, we get connections through all the great members at Old Barnwell, the people at the Onica Foundation and mentorship for Monica Sorensstam. Um, and one thing that I've really, really enjoyed is just having all these other professional female professional golfers around me and being pushed by them and practicing with them and all that. Um, but yeah, it's a three-year program. So this is my first year. Um and the application process was sending um filling out, you know, some questions, um, sending in resumes, all that. And then they chose, I believe, the top nine applicants, and then the top nine go through an interview process with everyone, and then they choose five. So um when I found out that I got it last year, I was just ecstatic. And yeah, it's they've helped me so much, and I know all that we're just very appreciative of them.

SPEAKER_00 13:55

So it's those little things like Garrett. I don't know for you, but I never knew Annika had a program like this for aspiring women professional golfers. No, I mean it's just something you don't hear about. So this just shows all the good things that people do, and they might not publicize it or get all this credit for, but for Annika to do this, um I it's pretty cool. My you know, I think it's pretty cool.

SPEAKER_03 14:28

Oh, it's super cool. It's it's providing opportunities and avenues to to grow the game and and help these collegiate athletes become professional, and that's that is really cool. You have some routes to one of the Soren stems, don't you, McGee? Don't you uh don't you know one of them or meet one of them or play golf with one of them?

SPEAKER_00 14:45

Yeah, uh Anika's sister, Charlotta. That's right. A little bit of golf with and stuff, and she actually came to Michigan and um stayed with our family and played Lincoln Hills in Luddington. And so yeah, she's been up, she's a great person. And uh, I actually met Anika, and coincidentally, her husband's name is Mike McGee.

SPEAKER_02 15:09

Yeah.

SPEAKER_00 15:10

So nice. I can tell you, like when I met him, he was like, Oh Mike, and I was like, Mike McGee, nice to meet you. And he just looked at me like weird, you know what I mean? Like you're some weirdo. You know, like no.

SPEAKER_01 15:26

I had to put GLG by your contact so that I don't get both of you confused.

SPEAKER_00 15:31

Yeah, there's there's a big difference there between between one Mike McGee and the other Mike McGee because yeah.

SPEAKER_03 15:39

Yeah, one and the same. Yeah, nice.

SPEAKER_00 15:43

Um but no, that uh that's flop phenomenal that they're doing that, Katie. And uh Annika should get more credit for for that for helping these aspiring female golfers and stuff. So gee, why don't we uh you're right, there's a common theme, you just keep getting better, just keep getting better. Day after day, year after year, and good things happen. And Katie and I were talking on the phone just the other day, and uh I was telling her like good things happen to good people when you do the right things, you work hard, like doors open. Sure. And um so for Katie to be in this program is not surprising because she's a unbelievable person. Um so here we are, she's in this program, and so what this episode is about, a lot of it is the Meyer LPGA. This is your debut on the LPGA tour. Is that correct, Katie?

SPEAKER_01 16:40

It'll be my third LPGA start, but my first as a professional. So I count it as my first.

SPEAKER_00 16:46

Oh, see, so I didn't know that. Uh tell us about the first two LPGA starts.

SPEAKER_01 16:52

Um so I was an amateur for both of those. My first one was um my sophomore year, it was the Cognizant Classic in New Jersey. And then my second one was actually the Meyer, which was my junior year. Um, so to be able to go back to the Meyer is just so special for me because I that event my junior year is what um, I mean, Gary, you asked me when I realized that I wanted to turn professional. I think that was also like a huge turning point for me because I realized how much I enjoyed being inside the ropes, how much I enjoyed, you know, like seeing the little girls like asking for autographs. And it's like, I'm just a college player, and I would sign something, they would freak out. And I'm like, that is the cutest thing ever. Like it's just crazy the the um kind of the stage that professional golfers have in influencing the next generation. So it was just that week playing as an amateur at the mire was just an unbeliev unbelievable, unbelievable experience for me. And to be able to go back with now different goals and as a professional, it's yeah, I'm very excited.

SPEAKER_03 18:01

That's super special and having that perspective around the youth and the kids that are there to see you, and and you uh you're inside the rope set, no PGA event, Katie. You're not just a college golfer at that point, yeah. That is too cool.

SPEAKER_00 18:16

How do you have to go out and watch uh watch her play with me next week?

SPEAKER_03 18:21

Yeah, when are you when are you doing that?

SPEAKER_00 18:24

I'll try and get out on Tuesday and watch her practice a little bit.

SPEAKER_03 18:27

Nice. Um yeah, no, that'd be awesome. I'd love that. I've been to uh I've still as close as I live to the LPGA event. Man, I've I've been out there and played Blai before the event with the Grand Stands up. I've played it after the event with the grandstands still up, and I've never been to the event itself. Katie.

SPEAKER_00 18:48

Katie, I have to tell you that Mr. Garrett Smith, uh, last year the Grand Rapids City Championship was at Blyfield, and uh Mr. G Money here fired a nice little like second round 66 out there.

SPEAKER_03 19:01

65, McGee no selling. Okay, 65. I'm sorry.

SPEAKER_00 19:06

So he he can probably help tell you some tips on how to play the golf course.

SPEAKER_01 19:11

Yeah, I need some I need the insider scoop.

SPEAKER_03 19:14

It's it's a great golf course, and it's one I've been fortunate to play a number of times and and enjoy playing well on. It uh and the LPG event there is so great. It draws such a great field.

SPEAKER_01 19:24

Yeah, and so many players I've talked to uh a stiff like a ton of different players in the past and even now, they all enjoy the Meyer LPG so much because of the hospitality and you know their whole simply give program, like it's bigger than just golf. Um, and then you know that tent that they have by which hole is it? Because they switched the the holes around, right?

SPEAKER_03 19:47

Yeah, so that's the funny thing. It's it's by actual hole two. The so two's a par five, but it's not hole two for the LPG. I've never actually understood the reroute. Is it 11?

SPEAKER_01 19:59

For I think it's 11. I want to say it's 11, yeah.

SPEAKER_03 20:02

That's right. So hole one for you is wait, I lied now. No, it's not 11. Hole one for that event is a short par four plateaued green. Is that correct? Do you remember?

SPEAKER_01 20:17

Yes, you're right.

SPEAKER_03 20:18

Yeah, so that would be hole eight. Um, actual hole eight, but hole one for LPGA. Because yeah, I've never understood the reroute.

SPEAKER_01 20:24

Yeah, I mean, I we both know which hole we're talking about. I just don't know.

SPEAKER_00 20:29

Just spell the food and go that direction. It's on the par five, it's on the par five, and it's all the tents.

SPEAKER_03 20:37

You know what's funny, McGee, is uh last year. Um, Charlie Cooley and some of the Grand Valley team members went to the event and they never made it out of the food tent, dude. They were there for seven hours, eight hours, and they never made it out of that hospitality tent.

SPEAKER_00 20:55

Okay, though we ended up crawling out of it. Garrett, is were they there for the food or the soda pops?

SPEAKER_03 21:03

I don't know, man. Probably they probably had enough of both, but they didn't get to walk the golf course, they didn't get any son. It was like, what are you on? Come on.

SPEAKER_01 21:13

Were you on the team with Cooper Bell?

SPEAKER_03 21:16

I was I on the team with Cooper Bell.

SPEAKER_01 21:18

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 21:19

No, I'm I'm a bit older than Cooper. Um, I know Cooper quite well. He's a good friend of mine and a tailor-made staffer of ours um out at Bly. But no, we we've competed together in a number of the West Michigan area kind of amateur events, but nope, never on any kind of a team.

SPEAKER_01 21:35

Okay.

SPEAKER_03 21:36

Yep.

SPEAKER_01 21:37

Just wondering because I know I know he's at Bly too. And the alley.

SPEAKER_03 21:41

Yeah, he's great, great kid. Love that guy. He uh actually texted me this morning. He had a tea time at Weskawan at 1 30 this afternoon and was looking for a game. So unfortunately, I couldn't join him.

SPEAKER_00 21:51

But that's a tough turn down.

SPEAKER_03 21:54

Uh trust me, it was a tough turn down. But after last week up north, man, I'm playing catch up this week. So I

SPEAKER_00 22:00

It's one of my favorite golf courses in West Michigan.

SPEAKER_03 22:03

It's a great one. It is certainly a great one. But yeah, I wish I could have joined. He was all by himself too. He said he was flying solo. And I was like, man, no, nobody wanted to come play Wusco on with you. Come on.

SPEAKER_00 22:14

Text them and say Mc the McGee says thanks for the invite.

SPEAKER_03 22:19

I will. Katie, how how did you how did you earn the spot in the Meyer LPGA this year?

SPEAKER_01 22:27

Um, I sent a letter to Kathy Cooper, the tournament director, um, and you know, just kept her updated on how I've been playing um in my events. And I think my play has definitely helped that. But I mean, just what Kathy has done for all of us and the tournament and Grand Rapids. It was just when she found when I found out that I got it, I was just, I was on putting green and I just couldn't stop smiling. So I was just very grateful that um we had kind of kept in touch since I played my junior year. And um, yeah, she decided to give me an exemption. And yeah.

SPEAKER_03 23:09

Very cool. How how many exemptions were up for grabs? Do you know?

SPEAKER_01 23:14

I believe three. And actually, one of the other exemptions was given to one of my former teammates, Taylor Kehoe. Um, and she just graduated, so it's gonna be so awesome um playing with her in the field, and then Coach Stacy's gonna be out there um too, and yeah, it'll it'll be good.

SPEAKER_03 23:34

That's incredibly cool. Is that is that part of the process um in your world as a kind of new pro? Is it is it sending letters to tournament directors and and requesting or kind of sharing a resume for exemption opportunities? Is that part of what you do for LPGA type events?

SPEAKER_01 23:53

Um, so they're different. Well, they're Monday qualifiers, um, but sponsors' exemptions, there are a lot of different ways to get it. Like, for example, um, if you have a sponsor, sometimes they have the connections to a certain event and they always get like certain spots and they'll they might give it to you. Um, or you can write these letters to the tournament direction directors and keep them updated. And you know, if you have a relationship with them, that definitely helps. Um, and then like my junior year when I got it, it was because Kathy, Kathy was just um kind enough to give Stacy and Coach Stacy at Michigan State an exemption, and I received it because I was the lowest scoring average. So there are a bunch of different ways of getting it. Um sometimes an event will be like if you win, you get an exemption into X, Y, and Z. So yeah, it just depends.

SPEAKER_03 24:44

Very cool. And how's the game feeling heading into the event?

SPEAKER_01 24:48

It feels good. Um, I mean, I have a little over a week, so a lot of more things that I um plan to practice and cover, but yeah, it's feeling good.

SPEAKER_02 25:02

I was gonna use yeah, I'll go ahead.

SPEAKER_00 25:07

One of my questions, Katie, was gonna be you've played in a couple LPGA events, so you understand the nerves and stuff that goes along with that. Going into this event, what does Katie Lou have to do well in order to have a good week?

SPEAKER_01 25:23

Course management. Um, I learned my first two events. I learned that these players, well, a lot of them isn't it isn't their first time playing these courses. Like they've been out there for a lot many years, and they just you play the courses over and over again, you understand it, but it's just knowing like sometimes you don't need a hit driver every single time off the T. You don't need to pipe one down the fairway. You can just like, you know, kind of be a little bit more conservative and then just walk away with a par and then be be more um be more aggressive on the holes that you can be aggressive with, and just like staying disciplined with um what you need to do for a hole for a pin, um, and learning as much as I can during the practice rounds and the greens and the slopes and all that. I think that's that's one thing that I've noticed. These pros really um have gotten that down and they're detailed and they know where to put the ball.

SPEAKER_00 26:20

I was driving today and was listening to a recap on uh the US Women's Open. And I can't remember the stats, so I'm not even gonna try and say it because I caught the tail end of it because it was so impressive. That Nellie Corda, you know, just won the US Women's Open. But it was something like she only like that she said they said how many greens she hit and how many times she got up and down. And I was like, okay, I guess the short game is kind of important.

SPEAKER_03 26:51

There's more to it than just hitting 18 greens, right, Miggy.

SPEAKER_00 26:54

But if you hit 18 greens, you don't have to chip.

SPEAKER_01 26:58

Yes, and that's the plan for me. No, but yeah, um short game is definitely very, very important. Um, and knowing where the right spot is to miss it so that you have the best opportunity to save par if you do miss the greens.

SPEAKER_03 27:15

Sure. Have you in your early LPGA experience, have you gotten to know any players? Have you met anybody that that you've maybe been inspired by or idolized and gotten to know anyone kind of along the way yet?

SPEAKER_01 27:29

Yeah, um I guess the first one that comes to mind for me um was from the Meyer. I played with Sandra Gal um during a practice round, and she was very kind, very open to answering all my questions and gave me some really good advice um before the tournament week started. Um, and we kept in touch. And um even before Q school this past fall, I mean, I called her a couple times and she kind of helped me on my mental side rat more than golf and just you know giving me the right mindset going into things. Um, but yeah, she's been great. And then I played in a pro member earlier this year, and one of the other girls um playing in this event, Brianna Doe, she just played at the um women's open. Um, she's originally from California, I believe LA. So it was a huge deal for her making it to Riv. But um I got to know her too um earlier this year, and then I saw that she's playing the Meyer, so I'll probably reach out to see if we can catch up there. But she was also someone that was just so kind and open to, you know, just answering all my questions and helping me out.

SPEAKER_00 28:44

So that's awesome. That's good stuff, Katie Lou. Are you nervous or are you excited?

SPEAKER_01 28:55

Definitely a mix, but I think my biggest thing is just staying in my own little bubble and just do what I've just been doing. And end of the day, it's just golf. And I want to go, it's just I'm treating it like any other tournament. Like I want to win, I want to play my best and just do my thing.

SPEAKER_00 29:13

How excited are you to get back to East Lancing and uh just feel back at home with the crew and you know, the the people of East Lancing and practice at a very familiar place? And so excited.

SPEAKER_01 29:29

Yeah, yeah, I'm so excited to breathe in some East Lancing air, um practicing at Lash, seeing Layla. Um, she's the assistant coach there and was my teammate of three years and one of my closest friends, and seeing Taylor and everyone there and Stacy, it'll be really fun.

SPEAKER_00 29:50

Yeah, that's great. Are your parents coming up for the Meyer?

SPEAKER_01 29:54

Yes, both of them are.

SPEAKER_00 29:56

That's great.

SPEAKER_01 29:57

Yeah. Exciting times. Yes, and I'm hopefully very excited to hopefully see you both there. Maybe in the tent for you, Garrett.

SPEAKER_03 30:08

I'm gonna come. I'm gonna come to this event. I've said that for the last three years, and I've have not made it over there. So this is the year. I'm gonna come and hang out and walk the course and we'll hang out with you. And McGee, what days are you going?

SPEAKER_00 30:21

Yeah, we're going Tuesday.

SPEAKER_03 30:23

Tuesday?

SPEAKER_00 30:23

Okay, yep.

SPEAKER_03 30:24

Are you going to any tournament days?

SPEAKER_00 30:26

Katie will let me know like when she's probably gonna go out and play a practice round, and we'll just chirp at her from outside the ropes. Be like, come on, Katie, hit closer. Let's go now.

SPEAKER_03 30:38

Yeah, but are you gonna do that? Are you gonna go to any tournament days though, McGee?

SPEAKER_00 30:42

I hope Katie played. I gotta tell this story, okay, Katie. So I hope like you play, you make the cut and you play with like a Hall of Fame or a legend in the third round or something, okay? Because uh, because I would definitely do this. So, you know, one of my best friends, Danny Jansen, his dad played in like 14, 15 majors, and he played well uh one year and going into the third round was don't quote me on this, but top 15, top 10, something, and he's paired in the third round with Arnold Palmer. And so a bunch of his members from I think it was Green Ridge at the time before it was Egypt Valley, uh said, We're driving down and watching this. We're watching Lynn and we're watching, you know, he's playing with Arnold Palmer. So they drive down there, and uh Arnie and Jack are playing, or Arnie and Lynn are playing together, and they're walking from a green to a T-box, and it's early in the round, like the fourth, fifth, or sixth hole. And one of the members yells out to everybody what you know says, Hey, who in the hell is that playing with Jansen? So, Katie, if you on Saturday when you make the cut, I'll come watch. And if you're playing with somebody, I'll yell, hey, who in the hell is that playing with Katie Lou?

SPEAKER_01 32:11

Oh my gosh.

SPEAKER_03 32:13

I love that, McGee.

SPEAKER_00 32:14

That's great. And then you'll be like, oh man, there's McGee. He's here.

SPEAKER_03 32:21

So get that guy out of here. Oh my god.

SPEAKER_00 32:26

Nice. Uh Garrett, Katie Lou will have one of the most interesting what's in the bag sections for you because if she's playing somewhat the same equipment she was a year and a half ago or so, yeah, you're gonna love this what's in the bag.

SPEAKER_03 32:41

You know, I love a good what's in the bag. Are you are you going there next?

SPEAKER_00 32:46

I think you should.

SPEAKER_01 32:48

Oh gosh. I have a okay.

SPEAKER_03 32:51

First, before we get to this, are you aligned with any equipment manufacturer? Has anybody gotten on board yet?

SPEAKER_01 32:56

Okay, in the works, actually, but not I haven't committed.

SPEAKER_03 33:00

Okay, you do have something in the works though.

SPEAKER_01 33:02

Um, I'm in between two different ones. Okay, nice that I don't I just don't know yet. But my bag is just all over the place right now. I think that's why Mike said that.

SPEAKER_03 33:12

Sure. Let's talk about it. What you got?

SPEAKER_01 33:15

Um, I have Cobra Irons, Pingwoods, Tidelish Driver. I actually just switched to an even roll putter two months ago before my season started, like super last minute, and I've been putting great with it. Um, and bokeh wedges.

SPEAKER_03 33:34

So you do have a mixed bag. You got a lot of representation in there.

SPEAKER_01 33:38

Yeah.

SPEAKER_03 33:39

What ball are you playing?

SPEAKER_01 33:41

I play the titlas pro v1x.

SPEAKER_03 33:44

Okay. Okay. So, how did this mixed bag come together? How did this melting pot find its way into Katie Lou's golf bag?

SPEAKER_01 33:53

Honestly, through college at Michigan State and went through a bunch of fittings, and I've never been one that I'm not like a club nerd, honestly. And I would just go to the fittings, I'd be like, just fit me into the best club that fits my swing.

SPEAKER_02 34:08

Okay.

SPEAKER_01 34:09

Okay, cool. I guess we're going cobra. And it's been great. I've been playing the irons for a long time.

SPEAKER_03 34:15

So, what makes it the best club? Are you a field player? Is it is it looks, is it sound, is it feel? Is it performance? What qualifies it to earn that spot?

SPEAKER_00 34:25

Katie G Money's in heaven right now. Yeah, he's gonna ask you for the next 10 minutes.

SPEAKER_03 34:30

We're gonna talk about we'll keep it tight.

SPEAKER_01 34:36

Um, definitely feel like how it feels off the club face, big on that, big on how it looks when it's sitting on the ground, and then also like dispersion and sure, um, consistency when I'm getting a fitting.

SPEAKER_03 34:51

Yep, yep. So when you were fit for this product, like where was it? How did you get this done? Was it at like a club champion type facility? Was it by the OEM and by one of their fitters or where did you get it?

SPEAKER_01 35:03

Miles of golf.

SPEAKER_03 35:04

Oh, sure, okay, nice.

SPEAKER_01 35:06

Yeah, so that's where I went. Um, and then actually the Voke wedges was with um a tour truck back in uh my junior year when I was just messing around and um you know, going to all the tour trucks and seeing what it's like, and then gave me some wedges, and I've been really liking the Vokies, and then I just got the SM11s um a month ago and been using those.

SPEAKER_03 35:30

So nice. Yeah, that is I I do I've obviously working for an equipment manufacturer, I do nerd out on the equipment side, and so every what's in the bag, Mickey always throws a little shade my way because he's like, You're gonna spend the next 45 minutes just grilling these people about what's in their golf bag.

SPEAKER_01 35:50

Like how long how long have you been with Tailormate? I see all the Tailormate stuff behind you.

SPEAKER_03 35:56

Yeah, yeah, I've been the rep for five years in West Michigan.

SPEAKER_01 36:00

Gotcha.

SPEAKER_03 36:01

Yep, yep. So we started the year sim 2 came out and then obviously launched stealth with the Carbon Face, and then it's been been a journey ever since. And great, great brand to be a part of. Love these guys.

SPEAKER_00 36:14

And I'm still not on staff.

SPEAKER_03 36:16

Oh, I knew this was coming as soon as King Taylor Made. Yeah, he's he is an unofficial brand ambassador. He's trying to find his his official brand ambassadorship, though. We're working, we're working on it, McGee. He wants to go to the kingdom, he wants to get fit by the fitters at our facility, and he's he is playing full bag, top to bottom, and golf ball.

SPEAKER_00 36:38

Full bag, top to bottom is Taylor made for me.

SPEAKER_01 36:40

I mean, that's pretty loyal. You gotta get that to Carl's back.

SPEAKER_00 36:44

Is that loyalty or what? It's it is loyalty, it's great. I'm a ping guy, like I just grew up playing pings, yeah. And when ping is the type of iron that when you grow up playing it and you get used to that look and the feel of it, it just kind of is ingrained in you because even though they come out with different models, they never lose the the feel and all that. So um, so yeah, for me to top to bottom, that says something, Garrett.

SPEAKER_03 37:18

It does. It speaks volumes to your to your brand loyalty and and your ambition, and you're an influencer, Mickey. So I appreciate your your loyalty to my side of the fence.

SPEAKER_00 37:28

Yeah. So yeah, I knew you'd love that what's in the bag because when I uh was at Eagle Eye and with Katie, I was looking at her bag and I was like, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. It's like a little bit of everything, and you just don't see a lot of cobra irons, but cobra cobra makes a great iron. You just do not see a lot of them out there in bags, especially college kids' bags.

SPEAKER_01 37:52

They do I'm impressed that you remembered.

SPEAKER_00 37:55

I remember everything.

SPEAKER_01 37:57

Yeah, I'm impressed.

SPEAKER_03 37:59

McGee's a savant, he's always he's always peeping into other people's bags because he's he's always wondering what everyone else has cooking too. He's you never know when he might lose a wedge in one way or another and have to borrow somebody else's.

SPEAKER_02 38:14

That's great.

SPEAKER_03 38:15

Right, McGee. You know what I'm talking about.

SPEAKER_00 38:18

I hear you're clucking big chicken. Nice. All right, Katie. I uh well, I told you I we wouldn't keep you and we keep this short, you know, because I know you you've been busy practicing and um getting ready for this big event, big big week. Uh just I my last couple things, points I'd like to ask you is um, you know, being from Jersey, but an adopted native of the state of Michigan, I th I know you you have a your heart is in the state of Michigan and especially East Lansing and the core group of people, men and women on the men's and girls golf team, I know is something that you cherish and stuff. So can you just uh give a shout out to or let us know what why West Michigan and the state of Michigan is so dear to you, why you love it so much and the people. And then um Garrett always asks uh just what golf means to you, golf in Michigan means to you.

SPEAKER_01 39:24

That's a loaded question. Um I think what makes Michigan so special for me is definitely the people that I've met along the way um since the very first day that I started at Michigan State. I mean, everyone that you have on um the Great Lakes gear team, Lorenzo, Caleb, um McCoy, I mean, even got to know a little bit um after I graduated, Shannon Kennedy, Kate Brody, um, just all of these awesome players. I'm very big on you are who you surround yourself with. And I really do think the person I am today is because of all of those people that have been around me um while I was in Michigan. And then even just the support that we all get from people like the both of you and Spartan alums all over the world, it's just everyone's just one big family there. And no matter where we traveled, like all my friends from other teams would always make comments about this. They'd be like, who the heck do you have out here watching you now? Like who's that? Like who's this? Like, we always have people out there supporting us and rooting for us, and we can really feel it when we're playing. And even now as a professional golfer, like all these relationships that I've built my four years at Michigan State, um, in Michigan, all around Michigan, just like now the reason why I'm like here in this position is because of those relationships and like the things and the perspectives I've learned. Like, Mike, I remember our first phone call. I think it was like 45 minutes. And I was, I remember it was that lash. I was sitting in the workout room, and we talked about somehow it went over to like the mental game, and you talked about like sticking to the process and all that. So it's like I probably felt like a something small, but it's just all of those things like really just built me into the person I am today.

SPEAKER_00 41:18

So that's awesome, Garrett. I do not want any comments that I give advice on the mental side of golf to some of these Great Lakes gear athletes. McGee, you know the saying, man.

SPEAKER_03 41:29

Those who can't do teach. Very true, very true. Just kidding. I'm gonna stop clocking now.

SPEAKER_00 41:38

I will say this. I and everybody out there listening, and and the one thing I feel like I can bring a rub off on some of our Great Lake Skier athletes because they're all more talented than I am at golf. They all hit a golf ball better than I do. But the one thing I can bring to them, and it's what I taught is fight. Like you have to fight because golf is a sport more than any other. Nothing's given to you, and you have to fight for everything you get. And that golf ball will go in some crazy spots, and it's not always gonna be fair, and you're gonna get some bad breaks. But the ones that just persevere are the ones that just do not quit and fight. And I and Katie and I have talked about that, and we probably talked about that on that call. But it's it's amazing how many times I'm talking to one of our athletes, and they're a little down, or and we talk about that, like just fight. Like um Murphy Kehole, who's up at the Michigan Open right now for playing the first round, he was texting me last night and he's like, Yeah, I'm just my game's not there, this and that. And I sent him this long text about would you rather, you know, shoot 70, hitting it perfectly, or would you feel better if you shot 70 but got everything out of that round and fought tooth and nail and just grinded it out? What would be more satisfying to you? He's like, Well, the latter one. I'm like, right, so just go do it then. So like go fight and grind out a number. I saw he doubled like his first hole today, but then he fought back and shot even, I think, or went over for the round. So um afterwards he sent me a text and how happy he was about how he fought.

SPEAKER_03 43:32

And anyway, enough on that. That is cool, McGee though. But yeah, Katie's spot on. You built a good team, man. You built a great team of individuals that that do nothing but fight and grind and work hard, and they're patient, they persist, and and Katie's just one of the many that uh are off to do great things in this game, and with your support, it's been awesome, man.

SPEAKER_00 43:55

But they're all great people, and Katie's one of the best. She she knows I'm not just saying that because we're on the podcast, because I tell her all the time, like she's one of the best.

SPEAKER_01 44:04

And just wait until you get actually get to know me. I'm messing. Thank you, Mike. That's very kind.

SPEAKER_00 44:15

Yep. All right, gee, why don't you wrap this up? I told her we won't keep her long, but uh, you know, is there anything you want to ask? And we got to get out there Tuesday and uh watch her practice a little bit.

SPEAKER_03 44:27

No, I'm I'm just looking forward to to having her up here and looking forward to coming out to Bly and hanging out and and watching watching your game, man. Looking forward to seeing you, Katie.

SPEAKER_01 44:36

Thanks, thanks, guys. This was super fun.

SPEAKER_00 44:39

Katie, we appreciate it. And I uh hope to hear from you when you get into Michigan. For sure. Uh let us know you got here safe, but hopefully we uh there's probably a chance maybe I see you before you head over to Bly. Bly Field.

SPEAKER_01 44:54

Oh, sweet. I'll talk to you. We'll keep in touch.

SPEAKER_00 44:57

All right, sounds good. All right, we'll see you soon.

SPEAKER_01 45:01

Bye. See ya.