The past month has been a busy one for Cathleen, with the Australian Girls Amateur Championship and Interstate Teams Matches being held at Carbrook Golf Club in Queensland. Cathleen arrived at the Girls Amateur hoping to defend her 2011 title and held the lead after the first round but unfortunately it wasn t to be as Victoria s Su-Hyun Oh stormed home to take the win. Cathleen s attention then turned to the Interstate Teams Matches where she was representing NSW. In a situation similar to the week before, Cathleen and NSW had the lead after day 1 but then the Queensland team used their home state advantage to grab the overall win. Western Australia finished the week in second with NSW one spot behind them in third. This month, we have asked Cathleen to speak about what it s like to return to an event as the defending champion as well as discuss the differences between playing as an individual and as part of a team. Cathleen has also been kind enough to share with us her top five tips for preparing for competition. How does it feel to return to an event as the defending champion? Coming into the Australian Girls&apos Amateur Championship as the defending champion is definitely different to participating as a another competitor. You have expectations not just from yourself but indirectly from all the surroundings of people from your team mates and the audience. I know everyone is always eyeing me out as the one to beat and I can feel that vibe whenever I practice or play with them. However I tried to put those expectations of winning aside and trusted that if I was to win again, I would. I had to focus on my game and prepare myself the best I can to play the course. What are the differences between playing as an individual and as a team? There are a few differences playing as an individual and as a team. Golf is generally an individual sport however when it comes to the Interstate series the environment changes. I love playing the interstate series as it gives an opportunity for girls in each state to cheer each other on rather than the usual rivalry. A sense of encouragement is continually experienced by each other and the spirits are always firing! Though you play singles match play, it really is a team effort and being part of one for some reason motivates me to try harder because I want to lead my team in the best possible way! Cathleen s Top 5 Tips for preparing for competition 1. One cannot perform well if they have not dined well! 2. Preparation of the golf course – practice rounds are useful to play different shots around the golf course where you might expect to play from. You can also try visiting the website for notes about the golf course before you arrive at your competition. 3. Have a practice schedule, I like to divide my time to the “rule of thirds” – 1/3 long game, 1/3 chipping, 1/3 putting. Remember short game is very important! 4. Look at the weather of your future destination – prepare and pack well (eg. cold weather = skins, jumpers) 5. Trust that all your practice and preparation will pay off, TRUST 🙂 Coming up in May Cathleen will be representing NSW at the Australian Women’s Interstate Teams Matches at West Lakes Golf Club in Adelaide from the 1st 4th May. She will then return home to contest the Women’s NSW Stroke Play at Castle Hill Country Club from the 14th 18th May as well as the Women’s NSW Amateur from the 20th 22nd May at Twin Creeks Golf Club. Cam will also be in Adelaide, completing with Queensland in the Men’sInterstate Teams Matches at Royal Adelaide from the 1st 4th May. From there Cam is taking a well-earned break as he prepares to head overseas in the upcoming months. Once again, MYGolf will be keeping you updated on their progress via Facebook and Twitter and if you re in Adelaide or NSW make sure you get out and support Cathleen and Cam at these events!