Meet The Beavers: Seshia Telles
April 24, 2012
It's not right - or even fair - to say a sophomore could be the all-time best at their school's collegiate sport. So we won't do it. What we will say is that Seshia Telles is very good and could one day leave Oregon State as the one of the best to tee it up for the Beavers' golf program.
The numbers don't lie, especially in golf, and the scores Telles has posted thus far are very impressive as she continues to make her mark as one of the most consistent women's golfers in Oregon State history.
• She shattered the freshman record with a 75.81 scoring average last season.
• The 75.81 is the second-best single-season scoring average in Oregon State history, trailing only the 75.68 by Kathleeen Takaishi in 1997.98.
• Has fired three under-par rounds, including a career-best 3-under 68 at the Stanford Intercollegiate this past fall.
• Has recorded three top-10 finishes, including a tie for medalist honors at the Washington Individual National Championship last season.
• Has posted 51 of her 60 rounds in the 60's or 70's.
Telles has a 76.28 scoring average this season heading into this weekend's Pac-12 Women's Championship with a chance to also break the school's sophomore record of 76.13 that was set by Cara Freeman in 2008-09. Her career scoring average is currently 76.03, which would put her first in the record book ahead of Cara Freeman's (2007-10) 76.31, fellow teammate Whitney French's 76.94 and Takaishi's (1995-99) 77.16.
But, for now, her goal is to get the Beavers to postseason play and continue to improve on the links so she can win another tournament and be in contention every time she competes.
When and where did you start playing golf?
"I started playing golf when I was 8-years-old at the Lake Oswego Golf Course (par-3 course) with my brothers, Josiah and Isaiah, and my sister, Leisha. That summer I started playing competitively in tournaments every week with the Oregon Golf Association."
Who is the one person who has helped you the most in your golf career?
"My parents. Both of them have always been very supportive and had us start playing in the summer tournaments. My dad has taught me the most, though. Not just about the swing (he is my "swing" coach) and basics, but as well as the mentality we need to have and what aspect of golf is the most important."
When and where did you get your first par?
"I don't know when, but I'm pretty positive it was at Lake Oswego Golf Course."
When and where did you get your first birdie?
"My first birdie was at Lake Oswego Golf Course. I had finally hit the green on a par-3, that I couldn't reach before, for the first time. I was 9-years-old and I hit a driver off the tee."
When and where did you get your first eagle?
"The first time I got an eagle was the same day I got my second eagle. I was 12-years-old playing in a tournament at what is now known as Chinook Winds. Both on par-5's. On the first one, I sank a 30 or 40 footer. On the second one, I hit a 60-yard shot."
Have you ever gotten a hole-in-one?
"Yes. It was my junior or senior year in high school and I was playing with two other friends at the OGA Course. It was number 17, 110-120 yards. I hit it a foot past and spun it back into the hole."
What's your favorite golf course and why?
"It's a tie between Bandon Trails and Bandon Dunes. The week that I got to play there, the weather was the best I've seen for being on the coast. The courses are beautiful and completely different from each other. I was under-par the whole week, minus the first day, and I won the OGA match play."
What's the best shot you've ever hit?
"It was in 2009 at Trump National in New Jersey for the Girls Junior Amateurs. It was on the 12th hole, I think on the Old Course. I was playing match play against Jessica Korda and I had to dormie to win. I hit my 22-degree wood to the back left pin and stuck it to two feet away. Jessica ended up sinking a 40 foot putt that hole to end the match."
Why did you choose to attend Oregon State?
"I chose Oregon State because I found the team to have great chemistry when I visited. OSU has a great atmosphere overall and I liked the fact that I wasn't too far away for home, but not too close."
What do you like best about your teammates?
"The best thing I like about my teammates is the fact that we are all very different and yet we have great chemistry despite our differences. We are all so supportive of one another and encouraging each other to strive for our absolute best."
What do you like best about your coaches?
"The best thing I like about my coaches is how supportive and understanding they are. Also, how dedicated and committed they are in trying to help the team culture."
What do you like best about Corvallis?
"I love the fact that the campus is a walking and/or biking campus. Everything is so close and everyone here is so nice."
What do you like best about Trying Tree?
"I really like the par-3 area because you can hit different shots and distances into a green. Also, having the back part of the range is always nice, especially when it's mats only on the other side when it's wet."
What the best course you've played in college golf?
"The best course I've played in college is Karsten Golf Course at Arizona State. It really is an amazing golf course."
Who is the most famous person you've played golf with?
"Fred Funk. For four holes."
Who would be in your dream foursome?
"Annika Sorenstam, Tiger Woods and Adam Scott."
If you could play a different college sport at Oregon State, what would it be and why?
"I would play soccer because that's the first sport I played, I miss playing it and I love the intensity."
What are your team and individual goals for the spring season?
"Team goals: better team culture, get to regionals. Individual goals: react in a positive way, do more heart math, be the lowest average scorer on the team, be player of the year, get good grades."
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