Golf has been a part of Anthony’s life since he could hold a plastic club. Now as a senior, he has taken his passion for the sport to achieving the All-American title and becoming captain of Skidmore’s golf team. Her Campus learned how Anthony’s family has influenced his game and how he balances athletics with college life.
Her Campus: When did you start playing golf?
Anthony DiLisio: I started about the same time I learned how to walk. I used a little plastic golf club as a crutch to hold myself up.
HC: What made you want to be a part of Skidmore Golf?
AD: A tradition of excellence, and receiving an excellent education while having the ability to compete against the best players in the country.
HC: Tell us about your time on the Skidmore team.
AD: I started off a bit slow here at Skidmore, not for one particular reason but for several. As a typical freshman, I did not allot the proper time and effort to bettering myself as a player, and our team was and is incredibly competitive. During sophomore year, I began to put the proper time and effort into my sport and as a result I began to gain opportunities to prove myself. I ended up winning our home event in the spring. In my junior year, I won our second event of the year by a rather large margin. I also placed fifth in the Division Three National Preview, which in my mind was my best finish considering that top twenty teams in the country were all in attendance. This year has been my best year yet; I won our home event, the Liberty League Championship and again placed fifth in the Division Three National Preview. Off to a good start.
HC: What has been the biggest highlight of your golf career?
AD: The biggest highlight of my golf career, most likely never to be bested, is winning the Massachusetts State Father-Son Championship five years ago. Parent-child competitions are quite rare in sports and the fact that my father and I worked together to achieve something that places our names in the Massachusetts state history books is something I will cherish more than any individual honor.
HC: Tell us about your experience in being named All-American this past year?
AD: The golf team has an incredibly strong tradition of excellence. We have made the National tournament nearly every year for the past three decades. During that time we have had at least one All-American each year. Thankfully I was able to continue that tradition last year. Last year was big. I finally had a few breakthroughs.
HC: What is an average golf practice like?
AD: I spend at least 25 hours per week actually on the golf course. The average practice is a little over three hours daily. The only weather we don’t practice in is lightening. Half of my time spent practicing is putting because statistically that is a little less than half of the game, then I will either play nine holes or hit balls. But in order to achieve what I need to, my practice schedule varies.
HC: How is balancing athletics, academics and your social life?
AD: There is no right or wrong way. I am a rather sociable person, however during the season there is not enough time in the day to do everything you want to do. I am also a double major, which makes the situation tougher.
HC: How do you balance being in a relationship with your athletic commitments?
AD: Well, managing time is obviously a bit tough, but we do find a way to spend quite a bit of time together. She is a pretty special girl. I am a rather unknown; I don’t let very many people see who I am because it never really pans out for me, but I took a chance on her. I think I am a much better person with her in my life.
HC: Who has been your biggest inspiration?
AD: It is not that I am inspired by any individual or individual act. I am driven to be the best for two reasons: my family is made of very proud people and I try to be the best representation of them that I can be. Also, I view myself as a role model for my younger brother, who will be a much better golfer than myself; I would hate to slow him down.
HC: What is the best advice you have ever received as an athlete?
AD: “Nothing in this world can take the place of persistenence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent.” – Calvin Coolidge