Sept. 12, 2005

With her senior year in full swing and her last season as a member of the UTPA women's golf team approaching, Stefanie Maynard (Pflugerville, TX/Pflugerville H.S.) has high expectations for herself and the Lady Broncs.

"My main goal for this year is graduating. My goals golf-wise are to win a couple of tournaments, to defend my title at our tournament, to not finish less than tenth in any tournament and to make it to the NCAA Regionals," stated Maynard.

Maynard holds the program record for most tournament wins in a career with five, surpassing Nancy Verastegui who collected four during her tenure. She was named a first team All-Independent team member in 2004 and 2005 as well as the Co-Independent Golfer of the Year in 2004.

Maynard also is the three-time defending National Minority College Golf Champion, however; she hopes she won't defend that title because she will be preparing for the NCAA Regional Championships.

With all of these accolades, it's no wonder she is thinking about turning pro after completing her collegiate career and graduating.

"It's on my mind, but I'm really trying not to think about it. I'm also thinking about going for my master's degree so I'm weighing both options because I figure if I don't get [my master's] now, I am never going to. I'll just have to see where my game is. [Going pro] has been a goal since I was 11, and I'm thinking I won't make any decisions until December," said Maynard.

Maynard has been bound and determined to excel since the age of eight when her father took her along for a round of golf with his co-workers. After watching her father's boss struggle to get a ball on a green, she knew she could do it.

"I looked at my dad and said, `Surely, I could do better than that, I know I could.' He got me a little set of clubs for Christmas, and we went and hit range balls behind my elementary school in a big field. I've been going ever since," stated Maynard.

She, along with fellow seniors Nikki Boychuk (Conroe, TX/Willis H.S.) and Daniela Cortes (Aguascalientes, Mexico/Colegio Portugal), will be leading the way for the Lady Broncs this season. With three incoming freshmen expected to play a big role on this year's squad, Maynard will be in a leadership role where she can help guide the freshmen along through their first year.

"We've got three freshmen who are going to our first tournament, and you can see the nerves and tension in their faces. Honestly, I don't know how much we can do besides tell them it's not a big deal and don't worry about it. It's something they have to work through on their own. We're just going to try to keep it fun and laugh as much as we can," added Maynard.

Maynard has many superstitions when it comes to her golf game, perhaps none of which are as interesting as which ball she uses. Every time she begins a round, she tees up a Titleist-3.

"If that goes bad I switch to a number-4, if that goes bad I switch to a number-1, and if all else fails I go to a number-2. I think it started my senior year of high school. I think I shot a 72 with a Titleist-3, and I got my first eagle with that ball and I always seemed to play bad with a number-2."

The Lady Broncs are hoping they have the right mix of experienced upperclassmen and talented freshmen to make for a great season. The optimism surrounding the team right now is considerable, especially when it comes to the team's chances at qualifying for the NCAA Regional tournament. Maynard especially believes the team has a shot at qualifying.

"I would say our chances are pretty good. Not being in a conference kind of hurts us, but if we play well, I would say our chances are 60-40 to make it to regionals," said Maynard.

The Lady Broncs' season began Monday (Sept. 12) at the North Texas Invitational where Maynard was the team's number three golfer. This is indicative of the skill-level this squad possesses, and she may be the number three golfer after qualifying, but she will be looking for her first tournament win of the season.

UTPA Sports Information