Frank the Tank Wants More Versa

The VersaClimber. The workout machine from hell. I have decided that if Dante had worked out with the VersaClimber, instead of being frozen in the icy depths of Lake Cocytus, traitors in his 9^th Circle of Hell would be strapped onto the Versa for an eternal cardio workout.

For those of you not familiar with the VersaClimber, it is a vertical climbing apparatus. The machine itself is a very simple contraption. It is a long pole rising from the depths of hell but angled slightly and surrounded by railing on both sides to maintain balance.

 At the top of the machine is a screen that monitors speed at which you climb, number of feet you have climbed, and time passed since you started climbing. Below the screen are two handlebars and two small platforms for your feet. You strap your feet in and grab the handlebars. To begin the workout, you step up with one leg as if you are climbing a step and pull down with the handlebar on the corresponding side. The resulting motion is similar to that of a rock climber. Sophomore Jeff Swegle describes the motion as “futile attempts to lunge your way out of hell while remaining stationary”. 

At the beginning of the year, the dreaded 10 minute Versa is reserved for Cardio Fridays. But towards the end of Winter Quarter and into Spring Quarter, Jason (our trainer) uses the 10 minute ordeal as a “warm-up”.

The following is a sample of my internal stream as I make this godforsaken climb.

0-60 sec:

Ok. Don’t come out of the gates too hot. Keep it nice and steady. Don’t want to kill yourself in the first minute.

60-240 sec:

I’m just gonna keep a steady pace. Save some energy for later. Ok this isn’t too bad. Definitely breathing heavily, but the quads and glutes are still feeling good

240-300 sec:

Almost halfway there. Keep it going.

5 minute mark:

Good god, I’m only halfway there. I’ve just done 5 minutes and you expect me to do 5 more minutes, Jason?

300-360 sec:

Keep the head down. Don’t look at the time. Just keep it going. Oh man the quads are burning up.

360-450 sec:

No human should have to do this. This is horrible. *I look over to check how my teammates are doing* There’s Dom. Tearing the Versa apart. They probably need to get a new machine after he’s done (Shoutout to Senior Dominick Francks for breaking the 2000 foot mark twice!!!). Mav (Junior Maverick McNealy) crushing it as per usual. Face is also redder than a tomato. V-man (Junior Viraat Badhwar) looking nimble on the Versa. Like a gazelle prancing in the plains.

7 minute 30 second mark:

3 quarters of the way done. Just one more quarter. Home stretch. Arms feel like lead. Glutes are definitely activated. Quads are on fire.

450-540 sec:

Forget this.

540-590 sec:

Last minute. Give it all you got.

590-600 sec:

10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1

Although the Versa Climber is the Spawn of Satan and the bane of my existence, its benefits have been noticeable. Not only do I have more stamina in the weight room, I also have more energy on the golf course (especially those 36 hole days).

The Stanford Men’s golf team takes pride in the difficulty of our Versa workouts and we relish the fact that we are a golf team that does this much cardio. We use it as motivation. The Versa is a tool that is essential to our program.

As Sophomore Bradley Knox so eloquently declares post-workout, “More Versa."

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Written by Sophomore Franklin Huang (aka, Frank the Tank)

Mighty Myers Talks Freshman Fall

Freshman fall quarter has been one of the best experiences of my life. It’s everything that you hear plus a lot more. As a student-athlete at one of the top schools in the country, the days can become very busy. A typical in-season day includes workouts, class, practice, and homework. Our trainer, Jason, keeps us motivated and working hard in the gym with a good plan for each one of us to get stronger. Fitness is a big part of our team and it can have an impact on our golf games. I was enrolled in three classes this quarter that totaled to 14 units. These classes were Math51, Econ1, and Weather and Storms. Classes at Stanford are definitely a step up from those I had in high school. 

The resources and support that we receive as Stanford golfers are incredible. One of the many attractions to come to Stanford was the Siebel Varsity Golf Training Complex. This practice facility, along with great teammates to practice and compete with, has made practicing more fun and more productive than ever before. The Siebel facility has been undergoing an amazing transformation during the fall season that will be open by the time we get back from winter break. This renovation includes a clubhouse, hitting bays with all of the latest and greatest technology, four new greens, and tons of new shots to master. This practice facility allows our team, Coach Ray, and Coach Brockington to get creative and get the most out of our practice time. 

On top of our practice at the Siebel Training Complex, our team has been fortunate enough to play some of the top courses around Stanford. These include Stanford Golf Course, Los Altos Golf Club, San Francisco Golf Club, California Golf Club, Pasatiempo Golf Club and more. 

I learned a lot during fall quarter and had a lot of fun as well. I’m very excited about the rest of freshman year both on and off the golf course. As always, Go Card!

By Chris Meyers

Isaiah Salinda (aka "The IS") Shares Stanford Beginnings

            Although I have barely scratched the surface of my four year Stanford experience, there is already so much I can write about. Just like everyone else, I’ve had my share of ups and downs the last 12 weeks or so, but it’s the positive memories that stick out and are definitely worth sharing.

            One of my fondest memories dates back to the first day of the preseason in September. Opening my locker and seeing a Stanford bag with my name on it and all this new Nike gear was a pretty special moment. I waited a long three months over the summer to join the team and it was at that moment that I knew I could call myself a Stanford golfer.

            One of the greatest perks of being a Stanford golfer is playing at pretty much all the nicest courses in the bay area. Some of my favorite courses we have played so far are Pasatiempo, Cal Club, Half Moon Bay, Sharon Heights, and San Francisco Golf Club. SF Club is probably my favorite one of them all, since it is also host to the annual “Big Game Cup.” Every year during the week of the Stanford-Cal football game, the golf teams from each school pair up with Stanford and Cal alumni/members of the club and compete in a best-ball Ryder Cup like competition. This year, the weather was nice, the course was in good condition, and more importantly Stanford won! A key highlight from the Big Game Cup came from sophomore Frank “the Tank” Huang, who had an ace on the par 3 13th hole. Tank was rather nonchalant about it (very typical of Tank) as the rest of us were more excited about the hole-in-one than he was. Nonetheless, the combination of beating Cal and Tank’s hole in one led to a very memorable van ride home…

            Speaking of vans I have had the privilege of becoming very familiar with them this quarter. Being on the team means having certain responsibilities. All 10 of us have specific team jobs and Chris (one of my freshman teammates) and I were assigned cleaning our two team vans 2-3 times a quarter. While at first I thought this would be a very mundane and boring task, it has proven to be rather enjoyable. Since the size of our vans prevents us from going to a normal car wash, we have to take the vans to a self car wash in Menlo Park. Spraying the van with water/soap out of the high pressure nozzle is actually kind of fun and for some weird reason, I really enjoy it.  Cleaning the vans inside and out is a job I take pride in. Also, since I don’t have my car on campus, cruising around in the vans fills the void of not being able to drive. I think Chris and I got pretty lucky with our team job.

            Finally, on a more serious note, my most memorable experience thus far was playing in the Gifford Collegiate at La Costa. It was my first college tournament, and after struggling early in the season I was able to turn my game around and make the lineup for our last event of the fall. The whole trip was just a great time, and we as Stanford golfers have a pretty luxurious lifestyle while traveling. We got to visit the Taylormade Kingdom, stay 4 nights at the beautiful resort (which included buffets for most meals), and play the Legends Course which has hosted multiple PGA Tour events. The Gifford Collegiate was a fun week and also a great learning experience for me.

            While I only mentioned a few memories that stuck out, it is important to note that all my time spent with my teammates, (whether it be during morning workouts in the weight room, afternoon practice at Siebel, football games, or team dinner) is a memory in itself. I’ve learned that the season is a day to day grind, but it is reassuring knowing that I can enjoy it with 9 other guys who all share the goal of winning a national championship. That being said, the fall season as a whole was a memorable one and I can’t wait to see what awaits us in the spring.            

Brandon Wu Shares Experiences from his First Quarter at Stanford

Freshman year, “the best year of your life,” as some would say. Everyone has encouraged me to take full advantage of it. Although transitioning to living at school can be tough, I have attended boarding school since seventh grade, and that has helped me ease into college life. Through my experience thus far, I have learned that having a great group of people including my friends, family, coaches, and teammates, have helped me adapt to life on the Farm. In fact, one the biggest changes for me has been getting used to the beautiful sunshine of California, which bodes much better for my golf game then snowy New England! Stanford has been great so far, and I wanted to share my favorite moments from this fall.

Playing Great Courses

As members of the golf team we have the opportunity to travel around the Bay Area and play some amazing golf courses. We are fortunate enough to be able to play the Stanford Golf Course as often as we want. On top of this, we’ve played storied clubs this fall such as San Francisco Golf Club and California Golf Club, as well as ones with great views such as Half Moon Bay.

Meeting All Sorts of People

The Stanford Golf Team has a great supporting cast of people that have contributed to our success through their continuous support. I have been fortunate enough to meet some of these people at the Siebel Varsity Golf Training Complex and at the Cardinal Classic. While they all had diverse interests outside of golf, they all exhibit a strong passion for the game. One particular person I met helped build the pool at the middle school I attended out in Massachusetts. I was a big swimmer throughout grade school, and I was very grateful of this beautiful pool during my time there. It was quite a coincidence to meet the people whom it had been named after, and it proved to me how contributions like this are vital to a team’s success.

Taking Down the Big Dogs

Despite being a very close-knit team, a key value of our team is the competitiveness. This is exemplified in practice where the sole purpose of our practice is to beat a teammate is set drills.

Isaiah and I, two of the three freshmen on the team, challenged and then proceeded to successfully take down the big, bad, juniors Mav and V, in a best ball battle at our practice facility. Isaiah showcased his clutch putting rolling in a 15 footer on the last hole, accompanied by a strong fist pump. Big win for the good guys.

Pumpkin Ridge

Playing Pumpkin Ridge was a blast. This historic venue, where Tiger won his third consecutive US Amateur Championship in 1996, served host to my first collegiate tournament.

The third and final day, I had two double bogeys in five holes and was sitting at 4 over, however, I went 7 under from then on out including closing with 5 birdies in a row, something I had never done before.  It was a great way to finish off my first tournament!

The fall season was a blast and I can’t wait for what the spring has in store! Go Card!

by Brandon Wu

What a Stanford golfer eats, by Franklin Huang

What does a Stanford golfer eat?

Let’s start with breakfast. Normally I would not be able to attest to the quality of breakfast, due my sleeping habits, but morning workouts and morning classes have made breakfast essential. After a grueling workout with Jason, breakfast is the first stop before a shower and a power nap in preparation for class.

A typical breakfast for me consists of french toast with strawberry sauce, a couple extra servings of whipped cream, and a plate of assorted melons. Obviously this is not enough to fill the tank. Another plate is loaded with eggs, bacon, and tater tots. And to flush it down, a glass of chocolate milk usually suffices. With the moral support from Jeffrey Swegle, this meal is no problem. Thoroughly sated, I am ready for class.

After a particularly heavy discussion in my Thinking Matters’ section, I am ready for lunch. For me, Roble lunch is the best meal. 3-4 slices of either pepperoni or cheese pizza is a must. After that, I will grab a bowl of cereal (cinnamon toast crunch) and either alfredo or marinara pasta. Chow down time is followed by practice at Siebel.

Dinner. The last of the trio of meals normally has the most options. Soup to start and then a quick glance at the salad bar to check out what I won’t be eating and off to the main course. If the grill is open, I will attempt to cook my own chow mein, which normally turns out overcooked and over seasoned, but I eat it anyways. If the grill isn’t open, I can grab a burger and check the vegan/ethnic food aisle for some lamb kofta and sweet potatoes.

Now in high school, three meals was enough, but in college there are times when essays are brainstormed or P-sets are solved into the wee hours of the night. The solution to the midnight craving, of course, is Late night dining. Because of my location, Lag late night is the most convenient. Their menu ranges from chocolate covered chicken to fried rice. If I am not craving Lag, the Axe and Palm is an easy spot for chicken tenders and garlic fries.

Now the real question. Is the food good? For me, I enjoy the wide range of food available. There are always options and there is always good food somewhere. So that is Stanford food and that is what a Stanford golfer eats.

Team Introductions by Dominick Francks

In this blog entry, I thought I’d give our supporters a quick introduction to the members of our team from an insider’s perspective:

Freshmen:

Bradley Knox: Nicknamed “Crush”, not because he’s the longest hitter on the team (which he is) but for his resemblance to a certain sea turtle from Finding Nemo…

Franklin Huang: Frank “The Tank” Huang earned his nickname last year on his recruiting visit, and fully lived up to it when in a stunning upset (which remains in dispute), he captured the long drive contest in the Cardinal Classic with a 350-yard bomb off the first tee at Stanford GC.

Jeffrey Swegle: “Shwegs” was baptized by fire early this year when he had to spend 41 minutes on the VersaClimber, the fitness machine from hell. Fortunately, this Des Moines native bounced back admirably, no doubt due to his long history as a CrossFitter.

Sophomores:

Maverick McNealy: Tests are still being done to determine whether Mav is actually a human being, as it’s rumored that he hasn’t mishit an iron shot in nearly 3 years…

Viraat Badhwar: Nicknamed “The Beast” for reasons that remain unclear. He has yet to fully adjust to Pacific time and is usually in bed by 9:00. Counterintuitively, has a tendency to shoot extremely low scores after not practicing for a few days.

Juniors:

David Boote: Most weeknights, David can be found in his room stroking hundreds of putts into an overturned glass. Blessed with a filthy short game, it’s rumored that he once shot 2 under par without hitting a green in regulation in his younger years.

Dominick Francks: (written by Patrick Grimes) Will be the first person to design a golf course on the summit of a 10,000 foot peak. He’ll also be the first to play it because he’ll be the only one that can get there.

Senior:

Patrick Grimes: Our senior captain, Patrick spends much of his free time watching videos of Adam Scott’s swing on an endless loop. He’s struggled with Chipotle addiction for the past two years, but has now successfully cut his use down to a manageable level.

And that’s our team! We can’t wait for the spring season to start and to hopefully make another run in the NCAA championships.

-Dominick Francks