By Jacinda Sweet
Arizona Daily Wildcat
Being a freshman in a new place and meeting new people is challenging to some, but for Arizona golfer Krissie Register, attending a college far from home is not just a job, it's an adventure.
Register, 18, of Roswell, Geo., is a long way from the Peach State. She said she considered attending top schools such as Miami, Georgia, Auburn and Furman, but Register could not resist the call of the West.
"At first all I wanted was to go to school near home," Register said. "But I wanted to see the West Coast, so I came for a visit and loved it."
Register's golf influence came from her mother and her older brother, Scott, who is a 22-year-old senior golfer for Lynn University in Boca Raton, Fla. Though her mother, Susan, is an avid golfer, Register said her mom is not very good.
"My mom just loves the game, but my brother Scott is the one who I started playing with," Register said. "I started to play with Scott when I was 10, and I played in my first tournament at age 11."
Because of her close relationship with her brother, Register said she is not shy about taking his advice.
"He helps me out with my short game," Register said. "He's also really good with chipping."
After just two tournaments in her collegiate career, Register earned her first top 10 finish at the Dick McGuire Invitational, tying for ninth place at 223 (75-75-73).
"I had high expectations when I first arrived," Register said.
"I wanted to keep shooting low scores, so I set goals for myself and I was really happy with my second tournament."
Register said she attributes her success to hitting the ball better and straighter than she had in the past. As the No. 3 golfer on the UA roster, Register gives the Wildcats an added boost.
"She's the Larry Bird of college golf," UA assistant golf coach Tom Brill said. "Her game is not pretty, but she gets the job done. That's why she's going to be an all-star."
Arizona head golf coach Rick LaRose said he is pleased with her play.
"Her hitting is getting a lot better," LaRose said. "And she's just a great competitor. She's been consistent on the harder courses, which paid off in the last tournament."
Though Register said she has gotten used to Arizona, she looks forward to seeing her family.
"I really like it here," Register said. "The team is great and we play on good courses."
Register's family will have its first chance to see her play in a collegiate tournament when the Wildcats travel to Hilton Head, S.C., Nov. 10-12.
"When I was in high school, my family would travel to all my tournaments," Register said. "(Hilton Head) will be the first tournament they'll get to see me play in."