The University of Alabama at Birmingham Athletics
Hall of Fame Q&A with Graeme McDowell
7/11/2018 8:19:00 AM | General, Men's Golf, Blazer Boosters
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - As UAB Athletics continues to look into the storied career of 2018 Hall of Fame inductee Graeme McDowell, uabsports.com was able to catch up with the current PGA and European Tour star for a Q&A about his time as a Blazer.
Q: What does UAB mean to you?
A: Playing collegiate golf at UAB was a huge turning point in my life. I knew that I wanted to pursue opportunities to play college golf in the US, but really didn't know how to go about it. A phone call from Alan Kaufman, the golf coach for UAB, changed that and I made my first ever trip to the United States. Birmingham is blessed with fantastic golf and the team facilities made it impossible not to improve. Along with a fantastic education at UAB, we had access to golf courses like Shoal Creek, Greystone and Old Overton to improve our golfing ability. UAB helped me take my game to the next level.
Q: What is your best memory playing at UAB?
A: So many great memories traveling all over the States with great team camaraderie makes it hard to choose just one. Winning Alabama's event in my last year, four shots behind JB Holmes of Kentucky with only four holes to go, making a hole-in-one on 16 en route to victory was a very special memory for me.
Q: What does it mean to be inducted into the UAB Hall of Fame?
A: It's a very special honor to be recognized by the school for my achievements and have my name alongside the many fantastic athletes that UAB has helped cultivate. My time there was so pivotal in my life and it makes me proud to be a part of the school history forever.
Q: What do you think of how UAB has grown since you have played here?
A: The school has really grown a huge amount since I attended in the late 90s. The campus has really blossomed and I was amazed at how far it had come last time I visited. I am very proud of how the golf program has continued to prosper since I left with multiple visits to National Championships and continuing to churn out world-class players.
Q: Looking back, how did UAB mold you into the person you are today?
A: Being able to blend sport with education at UAB gave me the opportunity to give golf my all while keeping the balance with my Engineering degree. My golf game was good when I came to America, but a couple of years spent around the winning mentality that I believe is so common in the US, on top of a great work ethic, really primed me for the professional ranks. I really believe that my three years at UAB were the reason I grew into a player capable of winning on the biggest stage and ultimately the 2010 US Open.
McDowell will be inducted into the UAB Hall of Fame on Nov. 2 at The Club. Fans can attend the Hall of Fame ceremony by clicking here.
Q: What does UAB mean to you?
A: Playing collegiate golf at UAB was a huge turning point in my life. I knew that I wanted to pursue opportunities to play college golf in the US, but really didn't know how to go about it. A phone call from Alan Kaufman, the golf coach for UAB, changed that and I made my first ever trip to the United States. Birmingham is blessed with fantastic golf and the team facilities made it impossible not to improve. Along with a fantastic education at UAB, we had access to golf courses like Shoal Creek, Greystone and Old Overton to improve our golfing ability. UAB helped me take my game to the next level.
Q: What is your best memory playing at UAB?
A: So many great memories traveling all over the States with great team camaraderie makes it hard to choose just one. Winning Alabama's event in my last year, four shots behind JB Holmes of Kentucky with only four holes to go, making a hole-in-one on 16 en route to victory was a very special memory for me.
Q: What does it mean to be inducted into the UAB Hall of Fame?
A: It's a very special honor to be recognized by the school for my achievements and have my name alongside the many fantastic athletes that UAB has helped cultivate. My time there was so pivotal in my life and it makes me proud to be a part of the school history forever.
Q: What do you think of how UAB has grown since you have played here?
A: The school has really grown a huge amount since I attended in the late 90s. The campus has really blossomed and I was amazed at how far it had come last time I visited. I am very proud of how the golf program has continued to prosper since I left with multiple visits to National Championships and continuing to churn out world-class players.
Q: Looking back, how did UAB mold you into the person you are today?
A: Being able to blend sport with education at UAB gave me the opportunity to give golf my all while keeping the balance with my Engineering degree. My golf game was good when I came to America, but a couple of years spent around the winning mentality that I believe is so common in the US, on top of a great work ethic, really primed me for the professional ranks. I really believe that my three years at UAB were the reason I grew into a player capable of winning on the biggest stage and ultimately the 2010 US Open.
McDowell will be inducted into the UAB Hall of Fame on Nov. 2 at The Club. Fans can attend the Hall of Fame ceremony by clicking here.
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