AUGUSTA NATIONAL WOMEN'S AMATEUR

March 29, 2022

Emily Mahar

Quick Quotes

Q. Emily, take us back to last week. What was it like receiving that phone call you'd officially been accepted into the ANWA?

EMILY MAHAR: It was really cool. We were getting ready for our practice round at Clemson, and my phone started ringing, and it was one of the directors from the ANWA. He was like, yeah, we have a spot. Do you want to play? I think Coach kind of knew. She told me she hadn't told me officially, but she was like, there are alternate spots. Maybe you have one of them.

I looked at her, and she looked at me, and I shook my head. Everyone kind of knew. It was really cool to share that moment with the team.

Q. You were part of a lot of firsts for Virginia Tech women's golf. Can you walk us through some of those, from the first regional appearance to the first national appearance last year.

EMILY MAHAR: My freshman year, I think that was our second or third competitive season, we made the first regional, and that was our number one goal that season. Then my sophomore year, we made regionals again, but we just missed out on Nationals. Then we had COVID. So our next time around was the first time that we made the National Championship.

Just to make all of those firsts is super, super cool. It's a true honor to have my name next to those first teams and kind of just shows everyone else coming in that you can also be a first because there's so many other records that we don't have anyone set yet. Gives everyone else someone to chase.

Q. Describe the commitment you've made and the work you've put in to get to this point.

EMILY MAHAR: A lot of time. You give up a lot, especially playing golf. It's so long. Our tournaments are multiple days. So you have to give up so much free time. But it's all worth it in the end to come to a place like this. After everything I've given up, it makes it truly worth it. I wouldn't change it for the world.

Q. You're no stranger to the big stage. How does your experience at the U.S. Women's Open last year and the U.S. Women's Am prepare you for this week?

EMILY MAHAR: It helps to calm the nerves to know I've made it to situations like those. Obviously, I've worked hard enough. I deserve to be here. Everyone else that's here is a really great college golfer who's done great at the U.S. Open. They've played in the U.S. Ams and everything too. I'm no stranger as well, so that definitely calms the nerves.

Q. Elaborate on your excitement for this week and sharing this opportunity with your family, who's arriving today.

EMILY MAHAR: Yeah, that's really cool. I haven't seen them in 2 1/2 years, and they're getting on the plane on their way here. I think those nerves are definitely high as well. But it's really cool just to share that experience with them. We've all been golf fans, so we know a lot about the Masters and Augusta and now to share that moment with them is super special.

Q. How hard has it been being apart from your family?

EMILY MAHAR: It's been really difficult. Social media, FaceTime, everything's been really helpful. I got married to a Virginia Tech grad, so I have a new family in Virginia now. That's been really helpful. I think probably the best thing being away from my immediate family and now having my second family in Virginia is really nice too.

Q. What drew you to Virginia Tech?

EMILY MAHAR: Just the coaches, the school. When I visited Blacksburg, it was a no brainer. This is where I wanted to be pretty much.

Q. (No microphone)?

EMILY MAHAR: Probably the same shock that I had on Thursday when I got the call. Just wow, we've made it, but yeah.

Q. Who's the first person you told?

EMILY MAHAR: I think everyone that was on the team at Clemson, we were unloading the van getting ready for the practice round, and they were all standing in front of me, the whole team and my two coaches, yeah.

Q. Is there anything your family's going to bring you to eat from Australia?

EMILY MAHAR: Yeah, they -- well, they were supposed to. They didn't pack properly, and it got taken at security. But I'm a big Vegemite person, and then my husband really likes this special sauce that we have over there. They decided to put it in their carry-on bag, and it got taken. But they were able to buy it on the other side, so yeah.

Q. Is there something you're looking forward to with your family?

EMILY MAHAR: Yeah, just to talk to them face to face, yeah.