Andrea Wong is a junior on the No. 36 UC Davis women's golf team who was named the Big West Freshman of the Year in 2013 and was an All-Big West honorable mention last year. She is one of four members of her Aggie team that's won a collegiate tournament. Wong's came at the inaugural East-West Match Play at Michigan during the fall when she won the 36-hole stroke competition at the tournament. She's already been a part of two Big West Championship teams, two NCAA Regionals and this year is working hard with her teammates to add to that list. Wong is 2012 graduate of St. Ignatius College Prep in San Francisco and is majoring in American Studies with an emphasis in business, marketing and advertising. She's also pursuing a minor in psychology. We recently talked with Andrea about how she got her start in golf, what it's like to be a part of an elite program like UC Davis and what she's looking forward to this year.

When did you start playing golf and what got you interested in the sport? What made you want to continue with it after you started? Why do you enjoy it?
I started playing golf at about age 6. My dad was the person who first got me interested in the game. He and my mom learned together when they first met and he was hooked since. He used to own a custom-fitting golf shop so he made my twin sister and I tiny clubs and brought us to the course to play and hit around while he practiced. At that age, golf wasn't actually my main interest, ballet was. My dad would take us to the course and we would have the occasional lesson but ballet was my main focus. It wasn't until age 11 that I really got serious, stopped dancing and started competing. I can't even remember the actual reason why I made the decision to pursue golf instead of ballet 10 years ago, but I have continued to play all these years because golf has brought me to some incredible places, allowed me to meet some amazing people and given me so many awesome opportunities. Golf has brought me a lot of joy, taught me so many important lessons and truly made me the person I am today.

Have you ever got a hole-in-one? If so, describe the shot and your experience. Where was it?
I actually have had three. My first was probably when I was about 13. It was a short par-3, about 100 yards. My second was actually that same year on Christmas Day. We were playing a short course (Blackberry Farm) by my aunt's house and I hit a 5-hybrid into the hole on 147-yard par-3.My third was a couple years at my home course, Lake Merced Country Club. It was on the par-3 third hole. I holed a 7-iron from 145 yards.

What is the key to keeping focus during those nonstop 36-hole days which start before the sun rises and end after it sets? Are you aware of how your teammates are during when you are in the midst of your round(s)?
I think the key to keeping focused during those long days is just staying fueled by eating and drinking and staying really patient. We are out there over 10 hours, there is a lot of golf to be played, and remembering that if you have one bad hole there are tons still out there to recover. Another way I keep focused is just by relaxing and not thinking to much, just enjoying the day and having fun with my playing partners.

UC Davis is one of the elite programs in the country, consistently ranked in the top 20, and a perennial qualifier for the NCAA Championships. How does it feel to know the program is talked about with all of the national contenders? Despite all of the program's successes, do you sometimes feel that UC Davis is still an underdog or do you feel the program is well-entrenched nationally that you're the "hunted rather than the hunters"?
It is a great feeling to know our program is talked about with all the national contenders. We haven't been a DI program for very long, so it is cool to be recognized so highly. The people before me worked really hard to get us to where we are today and we are continuing to do so to keep moving up, but I still think in some ways we are seen as underdogs. I don't think people realize sometimes how good of a program we really are and when people do, they know we are contenders but don't always see us as a threat, which can be good for us at times.

What goals have you and your teammates set for this season? How will it be to have the Big West Championships at your home course (El Macero CC) for the first time?
Our ultimate goal for the season is to make it to match play at nationals.I am so excited we are hosting the Big West Championships. Over the past couple years a lot of friends have asked about coming to watch me play and it hasn't been possible because are events are pretty far, but they will finally get the chance because we are hosting in Davis. It is going to be a blast to have friends and family to be there and watch especially because it is conference championships too. Our tournament at El Macero is definitely the one I am most looking forward to!

Both the men's and women's programs are now using the John and Diane Watson Short Game Training Center at El Macero CC. How important of a benefit to your program will that be? What do you like about it, particularly how it relates to your game?
We are so thankful and lucky to have the John and Diane Waston Short Game Training center at El Macero. It is an incredible facility and it is a huge benefit to our program. Its allowing us to hone in on our short game and practice shots that we couldn't before. We are already putting a lot of use to it. The bulk of our practice is being done out there. For me particularly, my short game is something I really focus on.It is where shots are saved and scoring happens, so this facility is awesome. I love having chipping competitions with people and this area is so great for that.

If you didn't play golf, what other sport(s) would you like to play and why?
If I didn't play golf, collegiately I think I would like to play soccer or lacrosse. But outside of collegiate athletics I would love to compete in surfing or snowboarding.

You're an American Studies major. What is your favorite class you've taken (in or out of your major) and why?
My favorite class I have taken in American Studies has to be AMS 155 which is food in America. I absolutely love food so it was really interesting to learn about the role food plays in our society and how it has changed over time.

What do you like to do when you're not on the course?
When I'm not one the course I love to hang out with friends and family. Those are two of the most important things in my life. I love like to do things outdoors with them like go on hikes or to the beach. I also really enjoy spending time at the Davis Farmers Market and playing with our apartment dog, Zeke.

What's more satisfying, driving the ball long and straight down the middle on the 18th hole or draining a 35-foot putt under pressure?
Definitely draining a 35-foot putt under pressure. Piping a drive is a great feeling but there is nothing like draining a long pressure-filled putt. The margin for error is so small in putting especially from a distance of 35 feet and to see that small ball disappear is a really cool feeling.