Take a step backwards, look around; a circumspective view, if you will. Look up, a beautiful expanse of terrain and green. And above it, paradoxically incongruous and fitting, the legendary Hollywood sign. Behind the carefully planted precision of trees within the Wilshire Country Club, and surrounding it, is the world of Los Angeles as we know it.
The pristine view cannot be understated as far as Susie Mathews is concerned. The freshman arrived at the UCLA campus in early September to begin her first year on the women's golf team.
“It was the closest ‘uni’ from home, in Adelaide, Australia,” Mathews laughingly said, giving her reason for coming to UCLA. “Yeah, and I thought, I’d love to be a Bruin.”
Mathews’ talent has led her to accomplish extraordinary things. While enjoying tennis, badminton, swimming and squash, she excelled in golf after picking up the sport at the age of 12.
“I like golf especially because you can play it your whole life; all levels can compete together,” Mathews said. “It’s a social sport, but it’s also very competitive. I love everything about it.”
Mathews was recruited by Australia’s prestigious Institute of Sport in Melbourne, which takes the top athletes in the country to train them in their individual skills. Besides practicing golf for four hours a day with other world-class athletes, Mathews studied subjects ranging from nutrition to psychology.
Mathews’ achievements also reveal the extent of her capabilities. She recalls her proudest moment – this past summer she entered the professional Kalmar Ladies Open in Sweden and took first place, firing 74-69-70 for a total of 213 – three under par.
It was an opportunity to play against the best golfers in the world, and this win helped Mathews become the reserve player for the Australian World Cup team.
“My goals are to help the team, and enjoy every moment I have over here, and meet as many people as I can,” she said. “I also want to play to have fun.”
Understandably, Mathews must adjust to life in Southern California. The cars move on the wrong side of the street, the metric system is turned on its head with the introduction of gallons, miles and degrees Fahrenheit. Limousines speed by on Sunset and Sepulveda boulevards daily, but barely make anyone else blink.
“The UCLA campus is about the size of my hometown,” Mathews said. “I look forward to watching the other sports and live matches on campus, just walking around and exploring everything.”
Women’s head golf coach Carrie Leary sees Mathews as a key part of the team. “She’s got the ability, and she shoots the numbers that should put her as one of the best players in the nation,” Leary said.
Mathews describes herself as an athlete with all of the essential characteristics that make up an intense competitor.
“I’m very organized, very practical, and I always do things to the best of my ability. I’m always a perfectionist,” Mathews said. “Athletes got to know what they’re doing, and they’re very motivated.”
She specifically points out that, when she gets onto the course, her concentration narrows to something she calls “tunnel vision.”
While it’s easy to get distracted or pressured by the expectations that come with being a top recruit, Mathews simply blocks out noise from the crowds or other potential obstacles by focusing on a point of perspective.
“Tunnel vision is where I see the pin, and see what I need to see. I learn how to zone in, zone out and just focus on the shot,” Mathews said.
“I think I’m like all other athletes. It takes motivation and dedication, and if you have both, you will succeed.”
Mathews sees UCLA as “absolutely diverse,” and knows that she has the same interests and determination of her fellow athletes.
Sharing her differences with other Bruins, and yet slightly removed by the unfamiliarity of the L.A. surroundings, Mathews takes the greatest opportunity to appreciate all that is here, finding her place in the glorious rush of California smog or traffic, taking her step forward – with a golf club in hand.