2008 Woodie Awards
Women place No. 2 at IWU, men place No. 8 at Cougar Classic
Zachary Groves
Issue date: 9/20/07 Section: Sports
While a rested SIUE women's golf team nearly dominated the IWU Fall Classic during the weekend, the men's team found out that playing in its own backyard does not necessarily guarantee victory.
Junior Megan Hood continues her ascendance as a star player for the Cougars as she tied for fifth at the tournament in Normal. Hood shot a 75 on the last day to cement her place in the top 10.
The Cougars overall took second place.
Seniors Natalie Connaway and Julie Cline both finished in the top 20, placing 15th and 16th, respectively. Junior Kirstin Fischer tied for 32nd and senior Kelly Morris left with a 70th place finish.
Morris said her teammates were sharp in their shortgame as well as their overall game, both of which were lacking in the Michigan tournaments in early September.
"I believe we all improved in the areas that we needed to,"Morris said.
The Cougars finished more than 20 strokes behind the University of Southern Indiana, who won the tournament. Morris said one of the opportunities each tournament usually offers is a chance to take on USI.
"(USI) just keeps improving each season, and they have really come out strong this season,"Morris said. "They're a goal every tournament we go to."
The men's squad, meanwhile, struggled in the Cougar Classic Sunday and Monday at Sunset Hills Golf Course to finish 8th out of 14. Sophomore Matt Lehl led the team after he tied for 18th place.
Lehl shot an 83 on the first day, but improved with a 76 score on the second.
Junior Tyler Link, freshman Lawrence "Nick" Nuzzo and sophomore Matt Muckensturm all finished in the top 50, each tying with several others for 23rd, 38th and 46th in the tournament. Freshman John-Michael Coles tied for 56th place.
Link said the grass was a little faster than usual, which means the ball can roll or slide away from the intended target. He said that played a role in the team's finish.
"It can really mess with your mind, I think," Link said. "People who don't know them pretty well are going to run into trouble."
The Cougars also played shorthanded, as freshman David Wilson was out sick and junior Adam Grandidier was nursing an elbow injury, according to Link.
For a team that is still young, Lehl said the team could have used either player.
"(Grandidier) brings a lot to the table and he's a veteran to the course," Lehl said. "It would have been nice to have him."
SIUE women's golf continues its road trip with a stop in Carlyle for the Kaskaskia Fall Invitational and will next travel to Evansville, Ind., for the USI Screaming Eagle Fall Classic Sunday.
The men's golf team travels to Holland, Mich., for the Great Lakes Regional beginning Sunday.
Junior Megan Hood continues her ascendance as a star player for the Cougars as she tied for fifth at the tournament in Normal. Hood shot a 75 on the last day to cement her place in the top 10.
The Cougars overall took second place.
Seniors Natalie Connaway and Julie Cline both finished in the top 20, placing 15th and 16th, respectively. Junior Kirstin Fischer tied for 32nd and senior Kelly Morris left with a 70th place finish.
Morris said her teammates were sharp in their shortgame as well as their overall game, both of which were lacking in the Michigan tournaments in early September.
"I believe we all improved in the areas that we needed to,"Morris said.
The Cougars finished more than 20 strokes behind the University of Southern Indiana, who won the tournament. Morris said one of the opportunities each tournament usually offers is a chance to take on USI.
"(USI) just keeps improving each season, and they have really come out strong this season,"Morris said. "They're a goal every tournament we go to."
The men's squad, meanwhile, struggled in the Cougar Classic Sunday and Monday at Sunset Hills Golf Course to finish 8th out of 14. Sophomore Matt Lehl led the team after he tied for 18th place.
Lehl shot an 83 on the first day, but improved with a 76 score on the second.
Junior Tyler Link, freshman Lawrence "Nick" Nuzzo and sophomore Matt Muckensturm all finished in the top 50, each tying with several others for 23rd, 38th and 46th in the tournament. Freshman John-Michael Coles tied for 56th place.
Link said the grass was a little faster than usual, which means the ball can roll or slide away from the intended target. He said that played a role in the team's finish.
"It can really mess with your mind, I think," Link said. "People who don't know them pretty well are going to run into trouble."
The Cougars also played shorthanded, as freshman David Wilson was out sick and junior Adam Grandidier was nursing an elbow injury, according to Link.
For a team that is still young, Lehl said the team could have used either player.
"(Grandidier) brings a lot to the table and he's a veteran to the course," Lehl said. "It would have been nice to have him."
SIUE women's golf continues its road trip with a stop in Carlyle for the Kaskaskia Fall Invitational and will next travel to Evansville, Ind., for the USI Screaming Eagle Fall Classic Sunday.
The men's golf team travels to Holland, Mich., for the Great Lakes Regional beginning Sunday.
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