James Anstiss

James Anstiss, left his home in New Zealand to play golf at Southeastern. Since his arrival, Anstiss has set both personal and tournament records. During their first day at the Lone Star Intercollegiate, Anstiss accomplished a 64, the lowest round in the tournament’s records. He is the son of Craig and Julie Anstiss and the oldest of his three siblings.

The Lion’s Roar: How have you liked living at Southeastern?

James Anstiss: It is a lot different from home, but I have enjoyed getting used to the culture differences here. Everyone here is really nice, respectful and have been very welcoming.

TLR: Was it hard to move here from New Zealand?

JA: It was very hard moving here. Where I live, it is the most beautiful place I have ever seen, with mountains and lakes. It is hard to get used to not seeing that.

TLR: Do you take time to contact your family?

JA: I miss my family a lot, but Skype is a great way to catch up with them. I talk to my family most days through text and I Skype home on a Tuesday here, Wednesday back home. I talk with mum on her day off. 

TLR: At the Lone Star Invitational you carded a 64, the lowest in the tournament's history. What was it like accomplishing that?

JA: It was an amazing feeling shooting 64. I had it on a string, I felt really confident with the way I was playing and I put it all together.

TLR: What were your goals going into the tournament? How do you feel about the outcome now?

JA: The goal was to have three rounds under par. I was a bit gutted not to finish off the tournament well but the 64 has given me a lot of confidence to do well in the upcoming tournaments. 

TLR: How do you prepare for tournaments?

JA: To prepare for golf tournaments, we practice most days for four hours and go workout when we have time. In practice rounds, we play the course and take down notes on what clubs to hit. Then we map out the putting greens, so we have an idea of where we have to hit it. 

TLR: How long have you been playing golf? Who introduced you to it?

JA: I have been playing golf for about five years. I was first introduced to it by a friend who I played with one day for a bit of fun. I immediately fell in love. 

TLR: What about the sport inspired you to pursue it?

JA: The sport is so hard, you can’t perfect it, so I play for the challenge. We are basically trying to perfect a game that can’t be perfected. 

TLR: What has been your best play over the years?

JA: I haven’t played much better than I am right now. The 64 I had was the best I have played in my career, it was a special day.

TLR: Has it been hard being a foreign student?

JA: It was not too hard coming here. I find school relatively easy compared to home and the professors very helpful. Everyone is so nice and welcoming; it is easy to fit in. 

TLR: You're a finance major, what do you plan to do with your degree after college?

JA: I would like to give golf a shot, then if it doesn't work out, I would like to work in a big finance company, trading or analyzing data. 

TLR: What do you like most about Louisiana? What is a major cultural difference here compared to New Zealand?

JA: I like the food here a lot. It’s very different from the food back home. There are many [cultural] differences here to New Zealand. It is strange coming here and having to pay tips and tax. On the displayed price back home, we pay the price that you see on the item and nothing more.