Sophomore
Colton Tanner is eager to get back to the course in 2021 after seeing action in two events in a shortened 2019-20 season.
UtahUtes.com caught up with the Park City, Utah, native and talked about spike ball, being a lifetime Ute fan and who his favorite golfer is.
Q: What has been your favorite tournament to play in during your time at Utah and why?
A: My favorite tournament to play in has been the one last year at Bandon Dunes. It was my first time ever being out there and it was so unlike any other golf course I have ever played. It made for a challenging week, but it was an extremely fun time and I had a great time out there.
Q: What would you say you've improved on most from your first year to now?
A: I would say I have improved dramatically at my short game. My putting and short game are what lead me to a lot of my great rounds now and have increased my ability to get around any course dramatically.
Q: What is your favorite part about playing at Utah?
A: The team. We have had great team cohesion for all four years that I have been here, both on and off the course. All of us want to hang out off the course and we all enjoy playing together on the course even after such a long time.
Q: What kinds of things did you do this summer during your time off?
A: I do a lot of other outside activities. Pickle ball, spike ball, and hiking. It is nice to have a bit of a rest period before our season starts back up to try other things that we might miss during the season.
Q: What are some of your goals for this upcoming season when you get back on the course?
A: I would really like to be able to travel to Hawaii. I have yet to go on the trip to Hawaii and I know from all of the guys that it is one of the best events that we play all year, so that is definitely one of my big goals.
Q: What do you like most about playing for Coach Garrett Clegg and Coach Chance Cain?
A: They both understand how being a college athlete works. There is a lot coming at you at all times of the year and it can be stressful, so they are always open to talk and to help you out whenever you are struggling with stress and pressure of the student-athlete lifestyle.
Q: Why did you choose Utah?
A: Both of my parents went to the U., so that was one of the biggest reasons it was on my radar. I also love almost everything about Utah. Skiing in the winter, hiking in the summer.
Q: What is it about golf that you love?
A: The difficulty. Golf isn't as physically brutal to your body as some sports, but I could argue it is one of, if not the toughest sport of them all because of the combination of extreme mental pressure and physical exhaustion (especially 36 hole days).
Q: What are some of your hobbies outside of golf?
A: I enjoy skiing a lot. Over Christmas break I will spend most of my time up in Park City skiing with my family and enjoying the time off from golf for a couple of weeks. That's the other nice part about going to the U. is that we are able to do so many things throughout the course of a calendar year.
Q: Who is your favorite player professional golfer and why?
A: I like Jordan Spieth a lot because he is not the best ball striker in an era where that is the biggest part of most people's games. He does a really good job around the greens and it has won him quite a few tournaments. He is able to play his own game and beat people that drive it 60 yards past him.
Q: If you could go pro in a different sport, what sport would it be and why?
A: Spike Ball because it is super fun with a few friends and really rewarding to win a tough game.
Q: What is your go-to club in your bag and why?
A: My 9 iron for sure. It is the club I practice with the most and it is also the only club I have ever had a hole-in-one with.