Lauren Archer

Height:
5-6
Class:
Senior
High School:
Borah HS
Hometown:
Boise, ID

Keep your head down and stay focused

If you have ever played golf, that’s good advice. But, it is also good advice in being a successful student-athlete and in general for life.

Junior golfer has followed that mantra to succeed at Oregon State University. She is one of the most accomplished players on the team, but more importantly boasts a 3.1 cumulative GPA in business marketing and has her sights set on the bigger picture.

“When I got here I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, but I figured golf has been good to me and if I can make it on a tour I would have some experience on how to manage and represent myself to sponsors,” Archer said. “If golf doesn’t work out in the future, I’d love to work for Nike as a marketing representative.”

The Boise, Idaho native has never looked back on her decision to attend Oregon State, and in fact from the day she stepped on campus has been committed to being a Beaver.

“I remember moving into Weatherford Hall in September of my freshman year,” Archer said. “I realized I was going to be living on or near the OSU campus the next four years and I was so excited. I still am.”

Archer also is excited about the prospects of this year’s team, which opens the season by hosting the Giustina Memorial Classic Sept. 22-23 at OSU’s very own Trysting Tree Golf Club.

“I think we will have a good team this year,” she added. “We have two freshmen coming into the program who are very good, plus some experienced players.”

Learn more about by reading the following Q&A.

Q. Why did you decide to attend Oregon State?

A. I decided I wanted to get out of Idaho and Oregon State seemed like a perfect fit for me on my recruiting trip. Oregon State is close enough for me to go home if I want to, but also far enough away from home for my space. I love it here; I love my teammates and I love Coach (Rise) Lakowske. My parents supported my decision to come to Oregon State; they were very happy.

Q. You say making the LPGA tour is a goal, do you have a role model?

A. I don’t have a specific role model on tour; there are so many great players to look up to. It would be a great opportunity to play on any of the tours; it would be amazing for me to play at that level.

Q. What have you learned about being successful as a student-athlete?

A. What has most helped me, and I think any other successful student-athlete would say as well, is time management. You have to be diligent about managing your time and staying on top of things.

Q. Did you ever feel overwhelmed being a student-athlete, particularly as a freshman?

A. I definitely felt overwhelmed the first couple of months of my freshman year, especially after school started with the academic load and I missed home. But, I got used to it pretty quickly.

Q. Was there somebody that helped you the first few months adjust to being on your own?

A. My older teammates were very helpful, since they had gone through it before. They provided me with a lot of guidance and were very helpful.

Q. What do you tell your friends or potential students about Oregon State?

A. I tell my friends back home or potential Oregon State students that I love Corvallis and that there are so many opportunities for student-athletes. Corvallis is a great place to live and I love it.

Q. Describe what it’s like to have university owned Trysting Tree Golf Club available to play at?

A. Trysting Tree is a great golf course and it is really nice that it is so close to campus. We have great practice facilities and we can play at any time.

Q. As a scholarship athlete, what does it mean to have so many donors provide this opportunity?

A. I’m very grateful to the donors who have made my scholarship a reality. I’ve enjoyed my experience representing Oregon State as a student-athlete and having the ability to earn an education. I’m tremendously grateful.

Q. What is your favorite moment on the OSU campus?

A. Moving into Weatherford Hall my freshman year. I realized I was going to be living on or near the OSU campus the next four years and I remember being happy about my decision. I was so excited.

Q. What is the makeup of this year’s golf team?

A. I’m very excited about this team this year. We have two freshmen coming into the program who are very good, plus some experienced players – I think we will have a good team.

Q. Describe the experience of playing for Coach Lakowske?

A. Coach Lakowske is an awesome coach, but more importantly she cares more about you than just your golf game. She really takes an interest in you as a person before an athlete.

Q. What has been your involvement in community service?

A. First of all it’s a good thing for anybody to give back to the community. As student-athletes, we have such great support from the residents of this area; I think it’s important for us to give back. I have been involved in HUGS (collecting clothes for the homeless) and Operation Santa (collecting and packing up donations to send to the troops in the Middle East) for example.

20 QUESTIONS OFF THE COURSE WITH LAUREN ARCHER

The top three songs in my iPod right now are... “Official Girl” by Cassie and Lil Wayne; “You’re Gonna Miss” by Ashanti; “All I Want to Do” by Sugarland

I’m reading...The Game before the Game by Lyn Marriott and Pia Nilsson

My favorite values in others....honesty, humor, trustworthy, loving, and accountable

If I could have any super power, it would be... able to fly

I drive....Acura TSX

My worst habit is....mumbling

In 10 years, I’d like to be...successful on the LPGA

The TV show I’d never miss is...Rob and Big

My biggest role model is...my mother

My greatest fear is... Losing someone I love

My favorite Pac-10 city is... L.A.

My nicknames are...Lorlor, LC, Laur, Boogs

My favorite club is...the driver