Joshua McCarthy is a junior on the Pepperdine men's golf team who has been consistently excellent through his first two-plus seasons. He's a two-time All-WCC first team selection who qualified for the NCAA Championships as an individual this past spring. He's helped the Waves get off to an excellent start this season, so we talked to him about his playing career and time at Pepperdine:
 
Q: What was it like playing in your third straight U.S. Amateur Championship this summer?
 
A: It was pretty neat. First of all, it's a big goal of mine to get to the U.S. Amateur because it is recognized as the biggest event for college golf, and it is always difficult qualifying. It meant a lot to get to my third, and this year it was at Pebble Beach -- which is close to my house -- and it was always the big tournament I wanted to play in, so there was a lot of pressure, and it felt great to get into that. 
 
Q: As a left-handed golfer, are there any advantages or disadvantages that you face as opposed to a right-handed golfer?
 
A: It's funny because on our team we joke a lot about a lefty-bias golf hole or a righty-bias golf hole, and overall I don't think there is any. It is pretty balanced. There are not many advantages or disadvantages to being a righty or lefty.
 
Q: You have been close a couple of times to your first college career win. How does it feel? Do you think about that going into competition?
 
A: Yeah, that is definitely a big goal of mine. I feel like I'm getting closer, and I just know that I keep getting better and working on the areas of my game that I need to improve to help me overcome that.
 
Q: Why did you choose to come to Pepperdine?
 
A: I think for me a big part of it was the coaching staff, Coach Beard and just the whole atmosphere on the team -- a lot of great guys. I really felt I could get a great education while striving to go for my goal and start my professional golf career. Another reason was, Pepperdine being a Christian school and being a Christian myself, that's important for me.
 
Q: How has Pepperdine and your collegiate golf career shaped you into who you are now -- as an athlete, a student and a person?
 
A: I think in college I've learned a lot. As an athlete, with the help of Coach Beard, I'm refining my golf skills. As a person, Pepperdine being a Christian school has helped my faith, and all of that has shaped me into who I am since I arrived.
 
Q: What has been your favorite golf experience while at Pepperdine?
 
A: I think it would have to be winning conference last year. It was a big goal of ours and to get it done and win by as much as we did last year -- that felt pretty special. And, overall, it was a great trip -- we ate at some really nice places and it had to be the best feeling just driving back knowing that we were going to get rings and we had won conference. There is nothing else like that.
 
Q: What do you look forward to most to here in your junior season?
 
A: I think just the opportunity to take more of a leadership role on the team, as one of the older players now on the team. I want to share some of my experiences with some of the younger guys and maybe be a little more of a role model that the younger guys could look up to.
 
Q: What would you say to high school golfers looking at schools and, specifically, considering Pepperdine?
 
A: Well, obviously, I'm biased, but as far as my golf game and where I see myself and wanting to turn pro, I feel that Pepperdine has done everything for me that I've wanted to get out of college so far. If it's any encouragement for someone coming into Pepperdine, I was in their shoes a few years ago and I still feel like I'm on the right trajectory to get where I want to go.