Note: This is the fifth 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, Nick Hardy, Charlie Danielson, and Dylan Meyer.
The Guthrie File:
Luke Guthrie accomplished a lot during his time on the course for the Fighting Illini from 2008-09 through 2011-12. Helping to establish a standard that has carried though for more than a decade, the native of Quincy, Ill., was a part of the first four Big Ten Championships that the Illini captured under head coach Mike Small's guidance from 2009-12, twice finishing as the Big Ten Tournament medalist in 2011 and 2012.
His back-to-back Big Ten Championships were two of seven career collegiate victories, a haul that also saw Guthrie finish as co-medalist at the 2011 NCAA Central Regional - the first of five regional medals that have been captured by Illini golfers under Small.
Guthrie, the 2012 Big Ten Player of the Year, closed his career as a four-time NCAA All-Region selection (2009-12), a three-time All-Big Ten Conference and Academic All-Big Ten Conference honoree (2010-12), a two-time All-American (2011 and 2012), and a 2011 GCAA All-America Scholar, while establishing, at the time, the program record for career stroke average (72.08).
Guthrie 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 come to the University of Illinois for multiple reasons. Growing up in Illinois, the in-state pride I felt to my school was strong. Coach Small was a huge reason. He's experienced everything in pro golf, and competed on every stage; he knows what good golf looks like, and I felt like I would really benefit from his expertise.
What is your fondest memory from your time at Illinois?
There are so many special memories and friendships I made while at Illinois. It is hard to single out one individual moment. Overall, I enjoyed the everyday grind that Coach demanded of us, and the competitive environment that was in place between all of my teammates. Picking one moment though, I probably go with the 2009 Big Ten Championship, winning Illinois' first Big Ten team title since the mid-80s and starting the run.
How do you feel the Illinois golf program prepared you for life after college both on and off the golf course?
I grew up a lot as a person and a golfer during my time at Illinois. On the golf side, it was demanded and engrained in us to play golf the correct way, and knowing how to put a score on the board even when you're not playing your best. I became a more confident person while at Illinois. Attending events, fundraisers and interacting with supporters of the program, I was pushed out of my comfort zone, which was invaluable experience for a shy young freshman that showed up on campus in 2008.
What is one piece of advice you would give a current team member?
Enjoy every moment competing and practicing with your teammates, those are some of my favorite memories when I look back on my time. I loved the moments where we were grinding as a team, or individually, to attain a common goal, and you knew we were becoming a tougher team for going through those moments. I would say listen to Coach Small, pay attention to the practice habits and the environment he creates; it makes you better.
What advice would you give a junior golfer who wants to play in college?
Obviously, I would say enjoy the game, but more than anything enjoy competing, enjoy having something on the line. You may win, or you may lose, but get comfortable being uncomfortable. I think that stands out to coaches: a kid who loves the challenge of something.
What would you say to someone who says "the weather" is too harsh in winter to improve at Illinois?
Well I grew up in Illinois, so it wasn't a big shock to me at all. I've always looked at the winter as an opportunity to get better. It is a time to assess your strengths and weaknesses and address areas that need improvement. You can dive into the mechanics of things a little more, and with the Demirjian Indoor Golf Facility, there's no better place in the country to own those adjustments.
How would you describe Head Coach Mike Small in one sentence?
Coach Small is a winner; he is competitive, intense at times, and endlessly supportive to his players - past and present.
How big of a factor was Coach Small in your decision to attend Illinois?
Coach was a huge factor in why I came to Illinois. During my recruiting process, I was able to watch Coach at the 2007 PGA Championship at Southern Hills. That had a big impact on me, watching him compete on the stage I dreamt about competing on in the future. I thought about how much I could learn playing under him.
Can you talk about the transition from college golf to professional golf?
Once you step on the golf course, it is exactly the same thing, except you don't have to carry your bag. The same things we focused on in college translate to professional golf. With that being said, you play a lot more tournament golf at the professional level, so managing your time is important and sometimes difficult. There might be a week or two to prepare your game for a college tournament, where in professional golf, you hop on a plane or in a car to travel to the next week's event.
What do you need to do to take your game to the next level?
I need to do simple better. Consistently, each and every day, work on the fundamentals and be true to who I am as a golfer. I play my best when I eliminate one side of the golf course. When that happens, my confidence grows quickly.
How similar is your practice now compared to the way you practiced when you were here at Illinois?
To be honest, I need to practice more like we did while in school. I need to compete against myself in practice, playing games that aren't always fun, but rewarding. There are games I still work on a lot from college, those that focus on tight, disciplined iron play and putting drills.
What are your greatest strengths?
I'm a tough competitor who is really solid 150 yards and in.
What are your goals for 2020?
My goals are to: Win, eliminate the left side of golf course, hit 65% of fairways, play the course in three-hole segments, play in the last group on Sunday three times or more, and earn my PGA Tour card.
