20 SportsUnion | MAY 2019
shirt and shorts. In the
Northeast, however, it’s
more like pants, shirts
and jackets.
A Northeast golfer has
to be used wearing extra
clothes, and playing in
some tough conditions.
Wet and dry weather
doesn’t help the ball go
farther. The greens ar-
en’t the most ideal con-
ditions when drenched,
cold, and stiff.
It makes a golfer like
Riso have to think a little
more out on the course.
Being able to change her
game is something that
Riso has been able to do.
In the beginning it was a
little tough getting used
to all the clothes and the
conditions.
Now it’s old hat.
“I’m very fortunate to
be at Siena, because we
have a great indoor fa-
cility here. It’s definitely
tough, especially going
down south to play those
schools who have better
access to outdoors. Hit-
ting off the mat indoors
and turning around and
hitting off the grass is
just such a bizarre feel-
ing - especially for the
first time,” stated Riso.
“Especially with wearing
so many layers, I think
it’s tough and restricting.
But, that’s another thing
that gets taken used to. If
we had a tournament two
weeks ago down south
and then coming up here
it’s definitely an adjust-
ment. Playing in cool,
damp weather, the ball
isn’t going to go as far.
It’s all about adapting. In
the end it’s just golf, and
if your short game is good
then you will be fine.”
Now her game is where
she wants it to be - and
just in time for her final
couple of matches. This
year she has an average of
73 - thats’s three strokes
better than last year (76).
She shot a 6 under 66 in
the Dartmouth tourna-
ment in the fall.
With graduation loom-
ing this month, Riso has
already lined up a job
in Virginia. She is also
coming back to Buffalo
and playing in the presti-
gious Porter Cup in June.
She is ready for the next
chapter of her life.
As she moves on to the
“real world” golf will still
be there. It might not at
the level of competition
that she is used to, but
golf will still be there.
Maybe is will be just go-
ing out and practicing.
Maybe she will get down
there and take part in a
few tournaments.
Either way golf will be
a part of whatever she
does. It’s hard to give
up a sport that Riso has
been playing since she
was a little girl. It’s hard
to give up a sport that she
has been so good at for so
long.
The one thing you won’t
see her do is step out on
the other side and coach.
She tried it while work-
ing that the country club
in WNY. She liked teach-
ing and helping out - but
it isn’t for her. She rather
be hitting then teaching.
“I have a job lined up al-
ready in Richmond, Vir-
ginia,” stated Riso. “I’m
registered for the Porter
Cup (in Lewiston) in June.
Once I get to Richmond
hopefully I can find a
country club to join, once
I have the funds. I want
to keep up my game, be-
cause If I loose it I know
that I will be sad. Hope-
fully, I can keep my game
up - eventually play in
some more tournaments
once I get adjusted down
there.”