After storming back in the Liz Murphey Collegiate Classic, the Alabama women’s golf team captured an impressive victory over the No.7 UCLA Bruins.
Sophomores Lakareber Abe, Nicole Morales and senior Emma Talley spearheaded the Crimson Tide’s comeback trail, but it was Talley’s fellow senior, Janie Jackson that put them over the top. Unquestionably, the person who was most impressed by the team’s performance was its coach Mic Potter.
“The girls showed real grit and determination – it really was a great comeback,” Potter said.
As the season quickly approaches the finish line, the Crimson Tide is set to compete in its final tournament before the SEC Championship, the Arizona State Invitational. The end of the season also signals the end of Jackson’s collegiate career.
Jackson, an Alabama native, realizes that her time at The University of Alabama is coming to a close. For some that might be a distraction, but for Jackson it’s just another motivational tool. Knowing her career at Alabama is coming to a close has helped her focus more on her game and appreciate all the memories she’s made with the team.
“It’s hard to pick just one memory to talk about because there have been so many great times here and so many great friends made,” Jackson said. “This team has always been a close-knit group. There is just a lot that is brought to the table because there are many different personalities on this team.”
The closeness of the group not only results in great team chemistry, but it also fuels an internal competition between the girls. Jackson often finds herself going to fellow senior Emma Talley for advice or a quick round on the back nine.
“Emma and I always compete with each other here while we are on the course, but we have been going back and forth since before college,” she said. “We’ve developed a great friendship here, and I know I will cherish the remaining time left.”
Jackson has never been one to take any piece of advice lightly, and although she has learned many different lessons, there has always been one that has stayed with her throughout her career at Alabama.
“Quality not quantity, it is not about how long you are out there on the course for but the focus you maintain and how hard you practice,” Jackson said.
She learned the pivotal lesson from her mentor, Potter, and believes that message has a direct correlation with her elevated play throughout the year. Jackson has focused on many different facets of her game since the beginning of the season, but no aspect has gotten as much attention as her chipping game.
Jackson said the difference between where she is now and where her play was in the fall is night and day. The hard work Jackson put into her game has not gone unnoticed.
“She has always been a hard worker, no drama or non-sense type of person, and that type of focus has certainly translated onto the course,” Potter said. “Janie has been very dependable for us and an easy number one in match play.”
As the team prepares for its final tournament before the SEC Championship, nostalgia could easily distract a senior but not Jackson.
“I’ll have time to reflect on my career when it’s over, but now I have to continue to work on my game and focus on the ASU Invitational,” Jackson said.
