Marina Alex is ending 2015 on a high note.
On Tuesday, Vanderbilt announced Alex as one of nine members being inducted in the 2015 class of the university’s Hall of Fame. A member of the women’s golf team between 2009 and 2012, Alex tells LPGA.com she was thrilled to get the news.
“I was pretty blown away to be perfectly honest,” Alex said via email. “There was some very accomplished athletes in the HOF and my inducting class. I had a solid collegiate career but I never thought it was Hall of Fame worthy. It was extremely humbling news and I’m thrilled that Vanderbilt chose me.”
Alex’s collegiate career was in fact more than worthy. She was twice named SEC Golfer of the Year in 2010 and 2012, becoming just the second player in conference history. Alex finished the 2010 season ranked sixth in the nation and that same year won the individual SEC Championship, a highlight of her time at Vanderbilt.
“My most memorable moment of college was 2010 SEC Championship. I won in a playoff! But overall was just an amazing experience. Our team finished runner-up, which up until that point was our best finish during my time on the team. It was heartbreaking to lose the team championship but the support from my teammates and coaches was really incredible. I believe I tied a low round SEC scoring record on the second day. So many great things happened that week. It was a time in my life I will never forget.”
Now wrapping up her third season on Tour, Alex says she’s ready to get to work this off-season in hopes of building on the improvement she made this year, having made the cut in each of the season’s majors and posting a season best T-9 at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship.
“I am currently spending some time with my coach in Australia. Trying to make as much improvement on my swing and mental game as I can. I am also playing LET event in Dubai in December. I know it’s time to recharge but I also want to improve for 2016.”
As Alex makes tweaks to her game in an effort to improve consistency, she says she’s gotten an extra boost from the news she received this week.
“I would love to be as steady of a player as I was when I played my best at Vandy,” said Alex. “This news really gave a positive end to my season. It’s actually motivated me to work harder.”
The Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held January 22, 2016 and Alex plans to attend with her family and possibly a few of her old teammates. Also being inducted with Alex is Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler, who played for Vanderbilt between 2002 and 2005.
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