Join ORU Athletics every Friday in a weekly series featuring interviews with coaches and staff members.
10 Questions with Lance Watson, Head Men's and Women's Golf Coach at Oral Roberts University:
- How are you and your family adapting to life at home?
Life has gotten crowded at the Watson house. My twins had moved out and were living at their colleges this year then all of a sudden they were back and the house was loud and busy again. I believe it has been the worst for the youngest who has to share the upstairs again with her older sisters!
- What are you doing to keep your daughters busy?
My daughters are staying busy with school work. They each have online classes so laptops and Wi-Fi connections are at a premium at the house. At night time, we have pulled out some of the old board games and of course, gathered around the TV to watch Tiger King.
- During this "stay at home" period we're in, how are you communicating with your coaches and student-athletes?
I have been communicating with Coach McCormick every morning and every afternoon. Since it is just the two of us, we do not get too fancy. We just talk by phone to decide who is going to talk to which recruits that day. We also check to see if there is any paperwork that needs to be done and which players have we either called or texted that day.
- How are the players doing with their studies and staying in golf shape?
ORU has done a great job with classes online. Our professors are the best in the country and my players seem to be doing fine with their studies. If they have any problems, their teachers are right there on top of things, making sure they understand the assignments.
- The NCAA has limited the recruiting rules during this time. What are the biggest challenges you've faced while recruiting from home?
We are very fortunate that we had already signed all of our players for the 2020 fall season: three girls and three boys. I was, however, supposed to hit the recruiting road in May to start watching 2021 players, but because of the virus and the NCAA limitations, everything has been canceled until June 1st. We are getting to know them through emails and phone calls, but I really feel like I need to meet them and watch them play before we can talk about joining the ORU golf family. So, I will be very excited when the NCAA lets us get back on the road.
- The John and Cheryl Clerico Golf Complex is a new state of the art facility. How has it helped you on the recruiting trail?
I am very excited to show off the new facility. This will be a huge recruiting tool. So far, we have only been able to have players look at pictures and take virtual tours while we are Facetiming them. This is the first summer that the facility has been open and I am hoping that the virus will be gone and that we will be able to have many recruits touring the facility and seeing what ORU can do for them.
- You had some great individual performances from the men and women earlier this year. What can we expect when both teams get back on the course?
I have high expectations for both teams next year. Both the women's and men's teams won a tournament this season. The men won their last tournament by 22 strokes! I believe that they were starting to play some of their best golf of the season and were about to have a great spring before the NCAA shut us down. I believe that both teams will be fun to watch and fun to coach next year and cannot wait!
- How difficult was it to have the remainder of the season canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic?
Canceling the spring season was like a punch in the gut. Both teams were playing well and their hard work was starting to pay off. I felt like we barely got to see the kids before they went home and everything was very confusing. I will be very excited to have them back on campus.
- Golf courses around the area and throughout the country are closed. How are your players working on their games?
Some of my players are able to play and practice because their golf courses are still open. But, others cannot even leave their houses and even if they could, there aren't any golf courses open in their communities. Players are putting into coffee cups in the kitchen, while others are hanging sheets up in their garages and hitting balls into them.
- What message do you have to lift up your players during this difficult time?
We have unfinished business when we get back on campus. Work hard this summer and let's get ready for a great upcoming season!
10 Questions with....
March 27, 2020 – Mike Carter
April 3, 2020 – Ryan Bush
April 10, 2020 – Mark Milner
April 17, 2020 – Joe Dial
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