Note: This is the third in a series of Q&As with some of Illini men's golf's most accomplished alumni who have gone on to compete at the highest levels of the sport. Stay tuned to FightingIllini.com for future installments in the series. Previous Pro Illini Q&As are available here: Scott Langley and Nick Hardy.

The Danielson File:

Illinois golf's only four-time All-American, from 2012-13 through 2015-16 Charlie Danielson was a consistently strong presence on the course for the Illini. Danielson was a two-time winner of the Les Bolstad Award (2014 and 2016), given annually to the Big Ten's season stroke average leader, and closed his collegiate career as both the program's single-season leader (70.67 in 2016) and all-time leader (71.66) in the category.

He capped his career at Illinois as the 2016 Big Ten Player of the Year, two years after tying for medalist honors at the 2014 conference championship, the first of four career collegiate tournament victories for the Osceola, Wis., native.

In addition to his four All-America nods – 2013 and 2014 honorable mention, 2015 second team, and 2016 first team - Danielson excelled in the classroom where he earned recognition as a three-time Academic All-Big Ten honoree, and a two-time GCAA All-America Scholar.

Following his senior season in 2016, Danielson represented Team USA in the Arnold Palmer Cup, where he was recognized as the winner of the Michael Carter Award, given to the participant that best represents the qualities and ideals of sportsmanship, integrity and upholding of the game.

Danielson recently took time out to reflect on his time at Illinois, and how the Illini golf program helped to prepare him for his professional career.

Q&A:

Why did you choose to come to the University of Illinois?
I chose to play at the University of Illinois because it was a Midwest school, a consistent national contender, and had the type of culture that instills winning.

What is your fondest memory from your time at Illinois?
Freshman year - teeing up against Alabama for a National Championship.

How do you feel the Illinois golf program prepared you for life after college both on and off the golf course?
The golf program continues to send out player after player that go on to great professional careers; the success speaks for itself. What is sometimes forgotten, is the incredible degree we earn when we leave. Illinois golf and Illinois Athletics prepare their student-athletes to be successful in whatever they pursue.

What is one piece of advice you would give a current team member?
Listen to Coach Small when he preaches short game and mental toughness. Those two characteristics are what separate teams.

What advice would you give a junior golfer who wants to play in college?
Continue to view golf as a game, not a job or an obligation. Strive to get as good as you can and pick the school where you see yourself becoming the best player.

What would you say to someone who says "the weather" is too harsh in winter to improve at Illinois?
We use "the weather" to our advantage. We learn to love the tough elements and that sets us apart from most teams. Plus, it's nice to have a break and spend time in Demirjian.

How would you describe Head Coach Mike Small in one sentence?
Coach Small will always hold his players accountable, but at the same time, he will always have their back.

How big of a factor was Coach Small in your decision to attend Illinois?
Coach Small was definitely a huge factor in my decision to commit to Illinois. The two things I that stood out to me: I saw the way everyone respected him and every single year, his players got better.

Can you talk about the transition from college golf to professional golf?
It is never an easy transition going from team golf to playing for a living, but Illinois prepared us as well as any school could.

What do you need to do to take your game to the next level?
Drive it straighter!

How similar is your practice now compared to the way you practiced when you were here at Illinois?
I learned so many valuable lessons during my time at school; I continually try and make them a point of emphasis when I play and practice. Every day I implement some sort of drill into my practice that I learned from Coach or my teammates at Illinois.