Story Links
April 11, 2007
Cavalier senior Sally Shonk teed it up as a part of UVa’s regular lineup at last week’s Bryan National Collegiate. A four-year member of the Cavalier team, she will graduate this spring with a degree in marketing and management. Let’s Play Through With Sally Shonk.
Question: What is your favorite overall golf course and why?
Shonk: My home course, Sagamore. It is so challenging, so I am constantly finding new ways to play a hole or hitting different shots no matter how many rounds I play there.
Question: What is your favorite single golf hole and why?
Shonk: No. 13 at my home course, Sagamore. As you stand on the tee box it looks like you are hitting down a tunnel of trees, and in the fall the colors are spectacular.
Question: What is the favorite club in your bag?
Shonk: Whatever club gets the ball in the hole.
Question: Who has influenced your golf game the most?
Shonk: My practice partner, Tommy Foley, and the Indiana girls I looked up to growing up, especially Danah Ford and Leigh Anne Hardin. The older girls took me under their wings and always inspired me to challenge myself to become a better player.
Question: What is your earliest memory of playing golf?
Shonk: I remember playing in a “two hole” league at my golf club. I also remember having a lucky golf ball that was bright orange, but I ended up losing it in a creek.
Question: If you could play with any professional, who would it be?
Shonk: Adam Scott – great golf swing, Australian accent, and nice to look at.
Question: What is one golf rule you would like to change?
Shonk: Regulations on golf attire – results in some bad tan lines.
Question: What is your favorite shot to hit?
Shonk: A bump and run from just off the green.
Question: My favorite golf term is?
Shonk: “Hit it Sally.” It is something guys often say when they leave a putt short, but usually refrain from using it when I’m playing with them… until I say it as a joke because I know they want to say it, but they are afraid of offending me.
Question: The strangest thing I ever saw on a golf course was …
Shonk: Usually, the wildlife. I saw an animal take my playing partner’s ball once, and a very large alligator was hanging out on the green of a par of three at the University of Florida while we were playing the hole.
Question: What is the current song/artist you listen to prior to playing?
Shonk: KT Tunstall – “Suddenly I See”
Question: What do you love most about UVa and why?
Shonk: Traditions – there is so much history and so many traditions that if you are a Wahoo you just understand.
Question: What is your favorite food that you rarely eat?
Shonk: My mom’s “Perfect Chocolate Cake” – only for special occasions. It is a three-layer chocolate cake with chocolate pudding in between the layers and the best icing on Earth.
Question: Who has your favorite nickname on the team?
Shonk: “Carl” – Carly Truitt. It’s more of a personality.
Question: What is your favorite movie line?
Shonk: “Once it hits your lips, it’s just so good.” Frank “The Tank” in Old School
Question: Most people would be surprised that I….
Shonk: Wear a size 12 shoe, even though I’m only 5-7.
Question: If you could trade places with anyone for a day, who would it be and why?
Shonk: My mom – so she could be pain-free for a day.
Question: What class would you like to teach?
Shonk: Drivers Ed – independent study for Carly – with a special section on how to avoid getting your car towed.
Question: What is/are your favorite sports team(s)?
Shonk: Indianapolis Colts!
Question: If you could appear in any TV show it would be …
Shonk: Extreme Makeover Home Edition – helping give/build someone a house.
Question: If you could create your own major what would it be?
Shonk: Sports – all-aspects – history, sociology of sport, sports marketing, sports management… etc.
Question: What is your lucky number?
Shonk: 34, my old basketball number.
Question: What is your greatest fear?
Shonk: Having kids – the pain and they don’t come with directions.
Question: If you could travel back in time, what era would you visit?
Shonk: I’d like to see what the world was like when God created it.
Question: If you were to be stranded on an island and you could only bring one thing, what would it be and why?
Shonk: Sunscreen, if all else fails, at least I could work on getting rid of my golf tan lines.
Question: If you could have any superpower it would be…
Shonk: I’d be Cupid – make people fall in love.
Question: If you could have lunch with any person in the world, who would it be and why?
Shonk: Charles Barkley – mostly for the entertainment
Question: The one condiment I can’t live without…
Shonk: Pickles
Question: My favorite toy as a kid was …
Shonk: My Little Ponies
Question: Which actress would you pick to play you in a movie?
Shonk: Jessica Alba – so at least in the movies I could have some rhythm and dance.
Question: What is your favorite hobby?
Shonk: Party planning
Question: What is your favorite character from a book?
Shonk: Jo – from Little Women
Question: What is the most embarrassing song on your iPod?
Shonk: The Lion King, “Circle of Life.”
Question: What is your favorite UVa tradition?
Shonk: Secret Societies – even people from outside of UVa get excited to hear about the legends and traditions.
Question: What is your most prized possession?
Shonk: Memories
Question: I hate shopping for…
Shonk: Shoes – Size 12 is not a popular size to carry, or it just looks plain ugly!
Question: I would buy a ticket to go see…
Shonk: Rascal Flatts – in a heartbeat
Question: The most exotic place I ever visited…
Shonk: Stingray City – off of the Grand Cayman Islands
Question: My favorite museum…
Shonk: NCAA Hall of Champions
Question: Best non-athletic talent…
Shonk: Cooking