2008 Woodie Awards
Women's golf starts strong, finishes fatigued
Zachary Groves
Issue date: 9/6/07 Section: Sports
SIUE women's golf may enjoy its two-week break after grinding through two Michigan tournaments in a span of four days.
However, the opportunity helped the team break in at least one of the year's fresh faces.
The Cougars finished 10th out of 17 in the Grand Valley State University Laker Fall Classic Tuesday after placing eighth out of 18 in the Ferris State University Bulldog Women's Invitational during the weekend.
Host GVSU won its own competition, finishing seven strokes ahead of Great Lakes Valley Conference rival University of Indianapolis.
Senior Natalie Connaway said the team did not keep up with the competing squads.
"I think that we all tried really hard but we did not perform to our abilities," Connaway said.
Junior Megan Hood led the Cougars in the GVSU tournament after finishing in 35th place. Senior Kelly Morris said Hood, who never played in either tournament until Monday, left a memorable impression on the team.
"Megan was really solid throughout the tournament," Morris said. "She's got a smart game and she played and didn't worry about knowing the course."
After Hood, more than 25 golfers placed higher than the next SIUE finisher, Fischer, who took 61st. The remaining members finished at least in the top 100.
Connaway said the main factor behind the team's lower rankings in the GVSU tournament was fatigue.
"We had already played 36 holes," Connaway said. "We were pretty worn out."
Another problem, according to Morris, was consistency.
"We struggled having everyone playing good at the same time," Morris said.
Ferris State also took the title in its own backyard after scoring a team total of 616 and also boasting the leading scorer in Jacqueline Bencoster.
Senior Julie Cline tied for 19th to lead SIUE, shooting an 83 the first day and a 76 the second to finish in the top 20.
A significant area for improvement, Connaway said, was the team's shortgame. She said their "putting and chipping" need work after the tournaments.
"If we keep that high, we'll be successful at the next tournament," Morris said.
Connaway said the courses were tough in Michigan, but SIUE's next appearance in the Illinois Wesleyan University Fall Classic starting Saturday, Sept. 15, is expected to be easier.
"It's very scorable, so we should play a lot better," Connaway said.
However, the opportunity helped the team break in at least one of the year's fresh faces.
The Cougars finished 10th out of 17 in the Grand Valley State University Laker Fall Classic Tuesday after placing eighth out of 18 in the Ferris State University Bulldog Women's Invitational during the weekend.
Host GVSU won its own competition, finishing seven strokes ahead of Great Lakes Valley Conference rival University of Indianapolis.
Senior Natalie Connaway said the team did not keep up with the competing squads.
"I think that we all tried really hard but we did not perform to our abilities," Connaway said.
Junior Megan Hood led the Cougars in the GVSU tournament after finishing in 35th place. Senior Kelly Morris said Hood, who never played in either tournament until Monday, left a memorable impression on the team.
"Megan was really solid throughout the tournament," Morris said. "She's got a smart game and she played and didn't worry about knowing the course."
After Hood, more than 25 golfers placed higher than the next SIUE finisher, Fischer, who took 61st. The remaining members finished at least in the top 100.
Connaway said the main factor behind the team's lower rankings in the GVSU tournament was fatigue.
"We had already played 36 holes," Connaway said. "We were pretty worn out."
Another problem, according to Morris, was consistency.
"We struggled having everyone playing good at the same time," Morris said.
Ferris State also took the title in its own backyard after scoring a team total of 616 and also boasting the leading scorer in Jacqueline Bencoster.
Senior Julie Cline tied for 19th to lead SIUE, shooting an 83 the first day and a 76 the second to finish in the top 20.
A significant area for improvement, Connaway said, was the team's shortgame. She said their "putting and chipping" need work after the tournaments.
"If we keep that high, we'll be successful at the next tournament," Morris said.
Connaway said the courses were tough in Michigan, but SIUE's next appearance in the Illinois Wesleyan University Fall Classic starting Saturday, Sept. 15, is expected to be easier.
"It's very scorable, so we should play a lot better," Connaway said.
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