Five Questions With Mackenzie Butzer
Mackenzie Butzer
A member of Maple City Country Club in Chatham, Butzer won the Tyson Tour last summer, and recently committed to an NCAA Division I golf scholarship with the Bethune-Cookman University Wildcats.
An Ursuline College graduate in 2013, below are Mackenzie Butzer’s answers to CKSN’s Five Questions:
1. What is your career sports highlight/top memory?
Participating in the Tyson tour the first year I won. I lost the previous year and really wanted to win the tour that year. I struggled that year with mental ability and having the confidence that I was good enough to win it. Going into the last event, at my home course I had to win it. The nerves were over flowing on the greens and I didn’t have a calm bone in my body. I was playing with the only girl I had to beat and the last hole if I made par I knew I would win. I struggled but made an up and down for par. A huge weight of joy and relief was lifted off my chest and the reassurance to know that I was good enough and I did belong in this sport.
2. Who is your favourite professional sports team and athlete?
My favourite athlete has been Tiger Woods. I have been following him since I can remember. Ever since I learned who he was I have looked up to him as an athlete. I believe he has made the game of golf the way it is now. He was the best of the best. His dedication, heart and passion for the game is something to follow.
3. If you could achieve one thing/goal in sports, what would it be?
3. Now that I have reached my first goal, my next goal would be to make it pro, to the LPGA. It’s a tough thing to do, but have to set the bars high.
4. Who has been your biggest sports influence and why?
My biggest influence would be my dad, Brad Butzer. He was not only a parent, but a coach as well. He has taught me everything I know about the game of golf and has done everything he possibly could to help me better my game. Hours on the driving range from when I was 5 till now. Even though we may not of gotten along the entire time, being father and daughter, coach and student, he never gave up and always had the confidence that I was good enough when I thought I wasn’t. Dad and I like to say that golf is 10% talent and 90% mental. It’s the mental part I struggled with because it can’t be taught physically. I never had the confidence that I was good enough to compete with the girls I was playing against. My dad was always there to tell me I was and that I belonged there. That I could beat them if I had the confidence that I could.
He has been there every step of the way and has been the biggest influence in my golf career. I thank him for everything he has ever done for me and not giving up on me.
5. What do you love most about playing sports?
Knowing that there is always room to improve your ability. Especially in golf there are always minor things you can tweak about your swing that can make a huge difference. Learning and practicing everyday, is amazing. Also, who doesn’t love the competition.
Five Questions is a weekly feature on the Chatham-Kent Sports Network. We’ll ask athletes from across Chatham-Kent Five Questions, and post their answers every week. If you know an athlete or coach we should question, or you’re an athlete or coach who would like to participate in “Five Questions,” please email us at ian@cksn.ca.