Team chemistry and unity is not the first thing that normally comes to mind when discussing golf. But don’t tell that to the Pepperdine women’s golf team.
Senior Kaitlin Drolson is the only upperclassmen on a team filled with sophomores and freshmen. Instead of using that as an excuse to be in rebuilding mode, Drolson has taken on the leadership role and soared.
“Kaitlin is like our team mom, she takes care of all of us — I look up to her a lot,” said Alina Ching. “She seems to know everything and I can always go to her for help with golf or school.”
Drolson and freshman Ching both understand how collegiate golf is a team sport intertwined by their individual performances.
“Life is too short to be upset over little things,” replied Drolson when asked about her outlook on the golf course.
Ching’s philosophy on golf is similar to Drolson’s, revealing why they believe their team chemistry is so high. “I’ve always tried to be positive because in the big picture, one bad shot is not a big deal,” Ching remarked.
Drolson plays golf because she loves it and consequently she strives to excel. Her career average of 75.58 is good for 10th on Pepperdine’s best career averages in school history and she is averaging 75 this season.
However, when asked about the record Drolson was not even aware of it. Improving her game is priority No. 1 and the rewards and accolades will fall into place afterward.
“I feel a lot stronger this year. I’ve had lots of swing changes in college that has detoured me from where I would have liked to have been,” said Drolson. “But I feel good about this year and every year you are trying to get better.”
The most memorable moment thus far on the golf course for Ching was when she became the only woman to make the third round of the amateur men’s match play tournament, the Mania Cup, in 2010. Ching is also off to fast start at Pepperdine, averaging 76 a round so far.
Ching and Drolson were not always on the path to golf stardom. Both originally played tennis.
Ching’s transition to golf occurred when her father encouraged her to choose a sport to focus on. By her freshman year of high school she began realizing her potential to play in college and hoped to one day turn professional.
Drolson first began playing golf after she broke her foot at the age of 10. While recovering from her injury, Drolson spent her time hitting golf balls with her dad. Within five months the cast was off and Drolson has remained focused on golf ever since.
“Kaitlin has always had excellent hand eye coordination and a competitive spirit,” said her father Paul Drolson.
Being the only upperclassmen has not hindered Drolson’s ability to enjoy this season, “This year is the best year out of my four years here (Pepperdine),” said Drolson. She attributed the pleasant experience thus far to the team itself. “All the girls get along so well and there is no drama. I love it.”
Ching agreed. “We get along really well,” she said. “When we travel it is so much fun, it’s something we look forward too.”
As important as golf is to both Drolson and Ching, they also each understand they are receiving an excellent education.
Drolson hopes to turn professional after she graduates this year. Becoming a professional golfer, especially on the Ladies Professional Golf Association, is “really tough” because the tournament purse sizes and sponsorships are smaller compared to the LPGA’s male counterpart the PGA.
Because of this, the importance of a college degree can be just as important as how well one performs during their collegiate careers. “A lot of players unfortunately leave college early and don’t finish college,” said Drolson, who plans to not only finish her last year at Pepperdine but also earn her real estate license afterward.
The prospect of turning professional one day is also in Ching’s vision for the future. “I definitely want to try,” Ching said. However, just like Drolson, Ching understands the importance of her education. Ching said she would not consider leaving college early to turn professional.
“Her mental game is one of her strongest parts of her game,” said Alina’s older brother Alex, a senior and on the golf team at the University of San Diego. “She not only has a smile on her face, but she puts a smile on everyone’s face around her.”
While golf is the main focus of Drolson’s life, horses are also a constant. “Horses have always been in my life and always will be,” said Drolson, who has participated in racing, western and jumping competitions. “When I get all my ducks in a row I want to get my own horses.”
For Ching, the beach has always been her escape. When most people turn to golf for a time to get away from it all, Ching surfs and plays tennis.
Managing school and golf has been the hardest transition for Ching from high school to college. “Everything is harder and requires more time,” Ching said. This is one reason why Drolson has been involved in the Student Athlete Advisory Committee all four years at Pepperdine.
Drolson is co-president and was vice president during her junior year. “It’s a fun way for the athletes to be more involved,” Drolson said, since athletes are often busy between classes and their respective sports.
“Kaitlin has a lot of passion with the student council getting athletes more involved in sports and getting them to give back and contribute as students to the school,” Drolson’s father commented.
Both Ching and Drolson have promising futures, Drolson soon turning professional and the remainder of Ching’s collegiate career. Each has a positive outlook on life and golf as well as having significant impacts on the team.
Drolson recently finished tied at 19th with a 9-over-par at the Betsy Rawls Longhorn Invite while Ching ended up tied for 48th with a score of 16-over-par.
