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THIS YEAR: Linda Ishii, the team captain, returns for her final year and will provide veteran leadership for the Women of Troy in 1999-2000. She is one of the most improved golfers on the team and had a stroke average of 75.3 to go along with three top 20 finishes this past fall. Linda came in 20th at the Oregon State Preview (225), 18th at the Dick McGuire Classic (225), ninth at the Edean Ihlanfeldt Invitational (226) and 25th at the Golf World/Palmetto Dunes Invitational (228).
GASTON ON ISHII: "Linda is coming off a good summer of golf. She has increased her confidence and has really fought to keep her scores low. In fact, she is our most improved player from last year. Linda is also an all-around team player and knows that each individual contributes to our success as a whole. She is a very loyal, hardworking and devoted person and is in a leadership role as team captain in her senior year."
1998-99 SEASON: Competed in 11 tournaments for the Women of Troy as a junior ... finished the season with a stroke average of 78.1 ... placed seventh at the Peg Barnard California Collegiate and 20th at the UCLA Pioneer Electronic Bruin Classic ... finished 31st to help USC to a win at the NCAA West Regional Championship.
1997-98 SEASON: Competed in seven tournaments for the Women of Troy as sophomore ... finished the season with a stroke average of 77.2 ... led USC at the Edean Ihlanfeldt Invitational, shooting 76, 74 and 71 (221) to finish eighth ... had two top 15 finishes.
1996-97 SEASON: One of the best prep golfers in California in 1996, Linda quickly proved her mettle at the collegiate level as a freshman, posting the lowest stroke average on the team at 78.2 ... Competed in nine tournaments for the Women of Troy ... led USC at three tournaments, including the NCAA West Regional ... had four top 25 finishes ... in only her second tournament as a Trojan, Linda led her team to the San Diego State Fall Classic team title and made a run at the individual championship, finishing in a tie for second at 231 ... in 25 rounds of tournament play, Linda shot over 80 only six times.
HIGH SCHOOL: Was the second medalist at the Girls' CIF Championship while attending Westlake High in Westlake Village, Calif. ... earned first-team All-League honors ... played the No. 5 spot on the Westlake boys' team, which won the state championship ... placed sixth at the AJGA Girls Championship, closing with a 69.
PERSONAL: Born on July 2, 1977, in Chiba, Japan, Linda is an international relations major at USC. Her full name is Linda Akiko Ishii. The funniest thing that ever happened to me on the course - "I had to play against Jennifer Rosales (my teammate) at the second match of the Women's U.S. Amateur." Biggest sports hero - "Jack Nicklaus because of his accomplishments throughout the years." Favorite pastime away from golf - "Hanging out with my friends." Favorite PGA golfer - "Fred Couples." Favorite LPGA golfer - "Annika Sorenstam." The toughest player I've ever played against - "Probably myself because you are not really trying to beat someone out there, but to play your own game. Also, Jennifer Rosales." Why I chose to attend USC - "Because USC offers great opportunities, both academically and athletically and the coaching staff is awesome." Most influential person in my life - "My family." Favorite food - "Japanese food." Favorite music - "All kinds." First birdie - "11-years-old." First eagle - "12-years-old." Been playing golf since - "Age 11." My golf superstition is - "After I mark my ball on the green, I tap my marker a couple of times for good luck." Favorite golf course - "Pebble Beach." First thing I learned about golf - "Why can't I hit a ball that is sitting right in front of me?" Fantasy golf foursome - "Justin Leonard, Tiger Woods, Peter Jacobson and me." Post college ambition - "To become a professional golfer and join the LPGA." What advice would you give a golf recruit who is considering signing with USC? - "USC definitely has a lot to offer. Just look around!"
Linda Ishii's USC Career Statistics
Rounds Total Avg. Score Low
Tourneys Played Strokes Per Round Round
1996-97 (Fr.) 9 25 1,956 78.2 74
1997-98 (So.) 7 19 1,467 77.2 71
1998-99 (Jr.) 11 31 2,421 78.1 73
