SAN ANGELO, Texas – As a long-time Professor of Kinesiology and Faculty Athletic Representative, Dr. Kathleen Price is already well-known at Angelo State and the San Angelo community.
 
Known as “KP” to most of her compatriots, Price has assembled a talented group of players in her latest role as the head golf coach at ASU. Starting in 2008, Price has been one of the pioneers in helping the program grow at Angelo State after assuming the role of full-time coach in January 2009.
 
Since then Price has seen her young Belles compete and epitomize the term “student-athlete” as the program has had players play both as a team and as individuals in the NCAAs. Members of KP's squad have also been recognized for their efforts in the classroom by the National Golf Coaches Association All-American Scholar teams.
 
The Belles will return to the golf course on April 9-10 at the Tarleton State Invitational in Granbury after finishing up competition at the Midwestern State Invite this past Tuesday. AngeloSports.com caught up with the Wisconsin native and Baylor graduate to discuss a number of topics.
 
Q: How have the maturation process of the freshman and the play of the team been this season?
A: “I don't really know if the scoring has shown what we have accomplished so far on the golf course; I think the best is yet to come. For Abby Bobo as a freshman to come out and to play the kind of golf she has played consistently…I'm really proud of her. (Ashley Bartholomew) is feeling more comfortable not only with being an athlete and a golfer, but she's comfortable as a student here, and I think that's a testament to the older girls and the leadership that they have shown.
 
“From a student-athlete prospective, all of these young ladies are going to be gals who earn their degrees in four years or maybe four years and a semester. They're smart, they're very talented and that was one of the reasons why I've challenged them this last couple of weeks to prepare them mentally for a tournament.”
 
Q: What has helped in the development of the program since you became head coach?
A: “(Former Belle golfer) Raelyn Smith was a wonderful example of what it was going to take to be a good golfer and a great example for the team. She ended up going to nationals the first two years of the program and was able to lead our team and kind of get us together to participate at regionals her last year.  (Assistant coach) Jimmy Tidwell has continued to take the time to work with the girls and to use the most recent technology that's out there to help them with their swings and help them with their games.”
 
Q: You mentioned student-athletes. How great of an example is it to have an entire team that epitomizes that term?
A: “I think that is the thing that makes me the most proud is to know that every single one of the gals on the team right now are very good players, but they're excellent in the classroom. I think we had a GPA of 3.4 in the Fall so I don't have to worry about the school stuff.”
 
Q: As a Baylor alum, how happy are you see both basketball teams still alive in the NCAA Tournament?
A: “I'm ready for the game tonight. I hope the guys get to wear their highlighter yellow uniforms because they seem to do well in those. I have my Baylor flag flying at home after I took my Packers banner down after the debacle in January, but it is kind of fun to be a Baylor Bear alum right now.”
 
Q: Also as a Packer fan what did you think of the Tim Tebow rumors going there?
A: “I think we're okay (at quarterback). The Packers need a running back that's not going to get hurt. That's the person we really need.”
 
Q: You were a volleyball player in college. Were there any other sports you were involved in growing up?
A: “I was a speed skater, but we don't have a speed skating team here. I played volleyball in high school after we moved to Texas and played in college and also played some recreation softball. I played golf socially. I was the club champion at Bentwood (Country Club) and got a hole-in-one. It wasn't even a squirrely shot it was actually like a great shot, and I love to play.
 
Q: After the season ends, what is the take away that you'll have looking back?
A: “What I'm going to take away after we finish our last stroke is whenever it might be is the fact that we do have a solid team. We have a great foundation with three juniors, three sophomores and two freshmen and the bottom line is just the satisfaction of these gals knowing how competitive we are going to be.
 
“For me it's going to be really interesting to see how hard they work during the summer to be a better player.”