How would you describe your emotions being labeled as 'Carol Semple Thompson the Hall of Famer?'

Carol Semple Thompson: Incredulity is the word that comes to mind. It's amazing that they held me up to the caliber of all these great players.

Why are you so gracious all the time?

Semple Thompson: Because that's just the way I feel. I just don't feel like I'm that wonderful.

Where does that graciousness come from?

Semple Thompson: I don't know. Maybe from taking myself as an amateur as opposed to proving I'm the best in the world, wanting to kill everybody. I play the game for the love of it. I want to play well ….

Who were your influences growing up while playing the game?

Semple Thompson: Probably my parents, first of all. And then a lot of women that I saw play in the Women's Amateur and the Women's Open. There was Joanne Carner. She was head and shoulders above us amateurs. She hit the ball a mile. She won five or so amateurs I think - an unbelievable number. I played against her and got waxed a couple of times. She turned pro at a relatively late age.

Judy Bell was right up there when I was younger. She was fun and made the game interesting. Barbara McIntyre was the same way. I would say amateur women were my important people. Marlene Streit was another one.

How has golf shaped your life? Has it defined your life?

Semple Thompson: It certainly has defined my life because since I've been out of college it's been my main individual sport, although I love horseback riding too. It's been my main summer activity for a lot of years. And competition has been a big part of it, an important part to keep me interested and keep me practicing.

When's the last time you played a round?

Semple Thompson: I played last Sunday.

Where, and how did you play?

Semple Thompson: In Sewickley, Pennsylvania. I only played nine holes. I played two balls.

As you've grown older, you've discussed how your game has suffered. What has been the most frustrating part of it all?

Semple Thompson: Well, I think I've started to lose my concentration quite a bit. And I don't quite want to spend too many hours practicing and that leads to deterioration in one's game. So I would think probably the mental part is the most frustrating. Since I'm not working on it actively, it's like anything else - it slips away and I tend to slip into negative thoughts.

Earlier in your career, you sought the help of a hypnotist. Why did you do that?

Semple Thompson: It was a couple years out of college. Because my golf game was seriously lacking, and this guy wanted to hypnotize me and I thought it would be fun.

What's it like to be hypnotized?

Semple Thompson: It's great! I highly recommend hypnosis.

Why so?

Semple Thompson: For me, it's relaxation and visualization. I love to lie down on the floor and listen to a count that relaxes me. Once I'm relaxed, I don't feel my body at all. I can just go into my head and think all the good thoughts I want to happen.

Would you describe it as an out-of-body experience?

Semple Thompson: It's kind of similar. But if you said that to someone it might make them kind of nervous. I think it's really cool to be relaxed and still awake and think about positive things that will happen.

What's something about you that someone might be surprised to know?

Semple Thompson: That my sister and I raise red worms.

What do you do with red worms?

Semple Thompson: Red worms create worm poop or castings for gardeners. Red worms can also be used for fishing, not that I'm a fisherman. We haven't sold any yet but we have sold some castings. So I'm in there digging in the dirt putting oxygen into it, growing worms. This is on a family farm like a huge fruit cellar. We have concrete beds filled with peat moss and horse manure. It's like composting.

Put you on the spot. Which is your greater love: golf or horses?

Semple Thompson: I really love horses, but golf has been so important to me. The competition has been the key. Of course winning doesn't hurt. It would be a toss-up.

What song would describe you?

Semple Thompson: I'm not good at stuff like that. I like Whitney Houston things that are upbeat. 'One Moment In Time.' … I like inspirational songs. Not religiously inspirational. Just upbeat.

What has been your greatest achievement?

Semple Thompson: Marrying Dick Thompson. He's been key to my life.

Complete this sentence: the media is ….

Semple Thompson: The media is really fun to work with.