An hour before a golf tournament, Andrea Castellanos is on the range putting and chipping balls with Iration singing “Wait and See” in her ears.

Graduating senior Castellanos said she practiced hard to earn her three individual medals this season at California State University, East Bay. Coming in first place three times in one season took a lot of dedication.

Castellanos has been golfing since the age of five, alongside her father and older brother. Golf was a daily activity in Castellanos’ life until she lost her mother to breast cancer in 2008.  With her broken heart, Castellanos pulled away from the world and her passion for golf went out the window.

After taking a couple years off, Castellanos was back in the game. Going back to the golf course reminded her of how therapeutic golfing was. Once she had her club in her hands, Castellanos felt like she could finally breathe again.

Being a slower-moving sport, golfing gave Castellanos a lot of time to think and control her emotions.

“I look at golf as my outlet,” said Castellanos.

With the motivation of her brother, the assistant coach for CSUEB’s men’s golf team, Castellanos decided to start her college golfing career at CSUEB. Only a 10-minute commute from her home in Union City and getting to play golf essentially for free was the perfect arrangement for her.

Another big factor for Castellanos’ decision to play at CSUEB was Head Coach Alan Sue. Castellanos has known him for years because her brother played for CSUEB where Sue was the coach and she would practice at the course beside them.

Playing golf many years prior to college gave Castellanos an advantage for her collegiate team.

“Andrea brings experience and consistent play,” said Sue. “It helps her teammates to get her perspective on golf course management.”

Castellanos is making a positive impact on her team.

“She is able to ease the level of tension on her teammates as they know they can depend on her to post a good score,” said Sue.

This season, Castellanos’ three first place individual medals come from a win at the Sonoma State Invitational in October, the Cal State Monterey Bay Otter Invitational in March, and just recently the Sonoma State Spring Invitational.

The CSUEB women’s golf team made it in the NCAA West/South-Central Super Regionals in Texas, where they played earlier this month.

Castellanos placed at the sixteenth spot for regionals.

Although her collegiate career is over, Castellanos does not plan on putting the club down ever.

“Golf is always going to be a part of my life. I can’t image myself away from the course,” said Castellanos.