Meet the Tide Golfers: Freshman Mark Harrell
5/2/2005 12:00:00 AM | Men's Golf
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By Matt Hooper, UA Media Relations
Tide freshman golfer Mark Harrell was a 2002 state champion in the state of Georgia and regarded as one of the rising young stars in the game. But instead of staying put in The Peach State, the Hazlehurst, Ga., native decided to follow his PGA dreams at the Capstone. In the following interview, Mark explains what led him to the University of Alabama, what it was like to start playing the game at age six, and what occupies his time away from the links.
As your freshman year draws near to a close, tell me what has your first year of collegiate golf been like? What have you learned at Alabama that you had not learned before coming here?
“As a freshman I did not really know what to expect, but it has been an awesome experience for me. From the workouts, to practice, to the tournaments, we always seemed to have a good time. I learned many things this year, but the most important is that golf brings good times and bad ones, but how you handle the bad ones is what makes you
a winner.”
Tell me about you relationships with Coaches Jay Seawell and Michael Webb. What have they done this year to make you a better golfer?
”Coach Seawell and Coach Webb are unbelievable. Everyone on the team has such a great relationship with coach on and off the course. Coach has made me a better golfer from teaching me how to think on the course and to stay positive even when things aren't going your way.”
You were a premier player in the state of Georgia in high school. What compelled you to go to Alabama?
“That is a great question, but not a hard one for me to answer. I came here on my visit two summers ago and I knew right then that this was the place for me. It was tough because it was a long way from home, but I knew that Alabama offered me with the greatest opportunity to reach my potential. (Georgia) Bulldog fan or not, I knew this was the place for me.”
You began playing golf at a young age. Did your parents influence your decision to play the game? What are your first golf memories?
“I can remember it like it was yesterday. I would always go to the golf course when I was six or seven on Sunday afternoon with my dad just for one reason, to drive the golf cart. I played many sports and my parents always left it up to me to decide what sports I wanted to play, but somehow I just fell in love with the game of golf. I guess one of my earliest memories of playing golf was with my dad when I was about ten years old and he made an ace on No. 8 at my home course. He still to this day reminds me all the time because unfortunately I haven't had one yet.”
What is your favorite hobby away from the golf course?
“I grew up in a small rural town where your life revolved around the hunting and fishing seasons. So for me if I wasn't playing golf I was usually hunting or fishing.”
