Wake Forest Athletics
Photo by: Tim Cowie/Tim Cowie Photography
Deacon Sports Xtra: Five Questions with Rachel Kuehn
5/25/2021 12:00:00 PM | Women's Golf
Wake Forest sophomore golfer Rachel Kuehn made an immediate splash, claiming the prestigious ANNIKA Intercollegiate early in her freshman season, going 13-under while toppling a field that included 12 All-Americans.
She's continued the momentum as the Demon Deacons returned to action this spring, winning the Palmetto Intercollegiate and racking up three top-five finishes. Kuehn is second on the team with a 71.78 average in the 18 rounds played this year. She actually had a team-best 71.23 stroke average as a freshman in the Covid-shortened 2019-20 campaign, which saw the Deacs end the season as the No. 1 team in the country.
Kuehn's mother, Brenda Corrie Kuehn, was an All-American golfer and is in the Wake Forest Athletics Hall of Fame, while her father, Eric, played baseball for the Deacs. Regardless, at one time Kuehn figured herself unlikely to end up a Demon Deacon herself, until a campus visit led to an unexpected love affair with Wake Forest.
Kuehn recently spent some time with Deacon Sports Xtra for this Five Questions feature.
What's it been like to get back on a normal schedule and play golf this spring?
Kuehn: "It's been amazing. The fall was tough sitting out and watching the SEC teams play. But when the spring came, we were all excited and ready. It's been amazing to be able to compete again, and it's something I don't think we all realized how much we missed. We didn't realize how fortunate we were until it was taken away from us."
Does that feeling magnify knowing you're part of one of the top teams in the country?
Kuehn: "Absolutely. It was funny watching the rankings come out in the fall, and even somewhat in the spring. How do you rank teams when nobody is really getting the ability to play anyone? But with the NCAA Championships coming up, we'll get to see everyone next week."
What did you think when you saw a regional not being able to be played because of weather, and having the top-six seeds advance automatically?
Kuehn: "I can definitely see both sides of it. If you're a top-six seed, then you don't want it to come down to an 18-hole shootout. But if you're a seven seed, then of course you want to play. It's tough. I think everyone kind of had their hands tied. It's really unfortunate, because everyone earned their right to play, but there's not much that could have been done with the situation regardless."
When you're not playing golf, what is your second-favorite sport?
Kuehn: "I grew up a tennis player and played through high school. I actually live with tennis players, so I'm surrounded by it. I really enjoy that sport.
"I live with Anna and Caroyln Campana."
What do you have on your agenda during the summer?
Kuehn: "I was fortunate enough to be selected to play for the United States in the Palmer Cup, so I'll play in that. I will try to defend the North & South Women's Amateur Championship (at Pinehurst). I'll likely play the U.S. Amatuer and then hopefully I'll get the chance to represent the United States in the Curtis Cup."
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She's continued the momentum as the Demon Deacons returned to action this spring, winning the Palmetto Intercollegiate and racking up three top-five finishes. Kuehn is second on the team with a 71.78 average in the 18 rounds played this year. She actually had a team-best 71.23 stroke average as a freshman in the Covid-shortened 2019-20 campaign, which saw the Deacs end the season as the No. 1 team in the country.
Kuehn's mother, Brenda Corrie Kuehn, was an All-American golfer and is in the Wake Forest Athletics Hall of Fame, while her father, Eric, played baseball for the Deacs. Regardless, at one time Kuehn figured herself unlikely to end up a Demon Deacon herself, until a campus visit led to an unexpected love affair with Wake Forest.
Kuehn recently spent some time with Deacon Sports Xtra for this Five Questions feature.
What's it been like to get back on a normal schedule and play golf this spring?
Kuehn: "It's been amazing. The fall was tough sitting out and watching the SEC teams play. But when the spring came, we were all excited and ready. It's been amazing to be able to compete again, and it's something I don't think we all realized how much we missed. We didn't realize how fortunate we were until it was taken away from us."
Does that feeling magnify knowing you're part of one of the top teams in the country?
Kuehn: "Absolutely. It was funny watching the rankings come out in the fall, and even somewhat in the spring. How do you rank teams when nobody is really getting the ability to play anyone? But with the NCAA Championships coming up, we'll get to see everyone next week."
What did you think when you saw a regional not being able to be played because of weather, and having the top-six seeds advance automatically?
Kuehn: "I can definitely see both sides of it. If you're a top-six seed, then you don't want it to come down to an 18-hole shootout. But if you're a seven seed, then of course you want to play. It's tough. I think everyone kind of had their hands tied. It's really unfortunate, because everyone earned their right to play, but there's not much that could have been done with the situation regardless."
When you're not playing golf, what is your second-favorite sport?
Kuehn: "I grew up a tennis player and played through high school. I actually live with tennis players, so I'm surrounded by it. I really enjoy that sport.
"I live with Anna and Caroyln Campana."
What do you have on your agenda during the summer?
Kuehn: "I was fortunate enough to be selected to play for the United States in the Palmer Cup, so I'll play in that. I will try to defend the North & South Women's Amateur Championship (at Pinehurst). I'll likely play the U.S. Amatuer and then hopefully I'll get the chance to represent the United States in the Curtis Cup."
Not yet a subscriber or know someone who would like to receive these stories in their email inbox? Click here for the DSX subscription link - share it with your friends!
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