Meet The Beavers: Whitney French
April 24, 2012
Whitney French is the perfect example of a true student-athlete. She has been one of the most successful women's golfers in Oregon State history, excelling on the course and in the classroom as she winds down a very successful four-year career with the Beavers.
As a student, she has a 3.52 GPA in Marketing, has been named to the prestigious National Golf Coaches Association Scholar Team and is a two-time selection to the Pac-12 All-Academic Second Team with a very good chance to earn First Team honors this season.
As an athlete, she has plastered her name all over the Oregon State record book with 123 career rounds played, the fourth-most in school history, with a chance to surpass the 130 rounds played by Kathleen Takaishi (1995-98) if the Beavers advance to postseason play. Other records include:
• Her career scoring average of 76.94 is third best in Oregon State history, trailing only teammate Seshia Telles (76.03) and Cara Freeman (76.31).
• Her current season scoring average of 76.07 would be the sixth-best in school history if the season ended today.
• With a 76.07 scoring average thus far this season, she has a chance to break the senior record of 76.00 held by Takaishi.
• The 1-under 215 she posted at the Rose City Collegiate in 2010 is the second-best three-round tournament by an Oregon State golfer and just the second under-par round ever.
• She shared medalist honors at the Rose City Collegiate and has four career top-10 finishes.
Oregon State is enjoying one of its best seasons in school history heading into this weekend's Pac-12 Women's Golf Championship with a very good chance to make an NCAA Regional for the first time since 2005-06.
It would be a fitting ending to a wonderful career for French, who has been the epitome of everything great about a student-athlete since she first stepped onto the Oregon State campus.
When and where did you start playing golf?
"My dad would take me out to the driving range when I was growing up in elementary school. However, I did not start getting into golf until I was a freshman in high school. And I started playing at El Niguel Country Club."
Who is the one person who has helped you the most in your golf career?
"Without a doubt, my father has helped me the most in my golf career. He was and still is there for me when I want to go practice and play or need help with any part of my golf game."
When and where did you get your first eagle?
"I was 14 and it was on the seventh hole at El Niguel Country Club. I was 107-yards out and I hit a full pitching wedge."
Have you ever gotten a hole-in-one?
"TBA"
What's your favorite golf course and why?
"Monterey Peninsula Golf Course in northern California. First of all, it is a gorgeous course directly on the ocean and the course is scorable to where if you hit good shots you are rewarded."
What's the best shot you've ever hit?
"When I was 17 and playing in a high school match at El Niguel Country Club on the second hole, a par-5, I was 200 yards out for my second shot and drained it with a 5-wood for a double-eagle."
Why did you choose to attend Oregon State?
"One reason I chose Oregon State is due to the conference we play in. We are always competing against the best in the nation. Second, I fell in love with the campus right away. It reminded me of an east coast school with the big brick buildings, and on top of that, you can't ask for a better community Oregon State falls within."
What do you like best about your teammates?
"My teammates are the best. We are all very close and enjoy the presence of one another. They are someone you can always count on, on or off the course."
What do you like best about your coaches?
"My coaches are always there for me. They look at our team as individuals and deal with our specific needs."
What do you like best about Corvallis?
"Corvallis is the perfect town to have a college campus in. The entire community comes out and supports all of the sports. Due to it being in such a small college town, it allows the city to act and unite as one."
What do you like best about Trying Tree?
"Trysting Tree allows the Oregon State men's and women's golf teams to have access to a variety of practice areas. It provides us with access to fit towards our specific needs."
What the best course you've played in college golf?
"The best course I have played in college golf was Sahalee Country Club, the University of Washington's home course. This course has both the look and the challenges all rolled into one."
Who is the most famous person you've played golf with?
"Due to golf being a game for everyone to play, it has allowed me to play with multiple famous people such as John Cook on the Champions Tour, Huey Lewis from Hue Lewis and the News, Teemu Selanne from the NHL Anaheim Ducks and Mac Davis the country singer."
Who would be in your dream foursome?
"Johnny Galecki, Jim Parsons, Simon Helberg and Kunal Nayyar."
If you could play a different college sport at Oregon State, what would it be and why?
"I would definitely play softball because it is similar to golf and I played softball until I was 17."
What are your team and individual goals for the spring season?
"First is to make it to postseason. Along the way of postseason, this team can definitely break a few more school records. Individually, I would like to win another tournament and be in contention in every tournament."
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