Alyssa Lamoureux is entering her fourth season on the UCF Women's Golf team. After the Knights' historic season came to a close in May, Lamoureux qualified for and competed in the U.S. Women's Open in San Francisisco. Since then, she has had some time to reflect on the past year and answer some questions about what she is up to today. Hear what she had to say below:
What have you been up to this summer?
"I've been playing a lot of golf this summer which has been great. I was able to compete in the U.S. Women's Open at the beginning of this summer, so I've been pretty busy, but I've also had a lot going on outside of golf so I have been able to have a fun summer as well. I'm looking forward to getting right back out there and not take anything for granted."
What is your major and why did you choose it to be your major?
"My major is criminal justice. The criminal justice system is something that has always interested me and, even though I want to continue my career in golf past college, to be able to learn how our judicial system works and how we operate has been very interesting to me, and I am glad I have been able to pick up the things I have from it... I have always loved crime shows like criminal minds, but I also love to watch documentaries where they detail a specific case and run through the whole process... I started with communications as my major, then psychology, then I realized I wanted to narrow it down, and with a lot of uncles who are lawyers that pushed me in this direction, I thought it would be something really cool to invest my time in."
What was your favorite memory from this past year?
"My favorite memory from this past season was when we went to regionals in Louisville. We all played pretty well as a team, but unfortunately, we missed moving on by a couple shots, which hurt, but just to be able to have that team bonding experience and being together to compete for the same goal felt special. When you go into postseason, it's a different feeling, like we're all here for the same reason... Having been to the NCAA Championship my freshman year, this year I was able to bring some of that experience, but it also still felt like a new and unique experience... I think we can make it back to the national championship this season. We have a great team and I think this season will be a lot of fun."
Can you describe your experience at the U.S. Women's Open?
"It was an unbelievable experience to say the least. I definitely gained a lot from it. Just from observing the golfers out there and their professionalism and the way they go about things was a huge learning lesson for me... It was a really cool feeling qualifying to the Open. It was very emotional, and it was one of those things where you don't even know what's happening until it sinks in."
As a veteran, what kind of advice would you give incoming freshman?
"I would say to enjoy it. Work hard and don't take any moment for granted. I can't believe I'm a senior now. I feel like I was just a freshman yesterday. And they should definitely lean on us upper classmen because we're here for them. We want to push them, and they push as well. They're hungry and want to do well, so it's a good, friendly competition for us."