Women’s golf team’s strengths lie in bench depth and positivity
With success and setback during its tournament Sept. 17 and 18, the women’s golf team feels confident it can improve and be successful this season
October 10, 2017
The women’s golf team traveled to Orlando, Fla., to participate in its season preview on Sept. 17 and 18, playing the very same course they will return to for Nationals at the end of next spring.
W&L shot a 323-318-641 (+57) landing them in third place out of 14 teams. Head Coach Pete Gyseck said the team did well overall, especially considering they were playing a fairly tough course.
“Knowing we have the ability to contend at that high of a level has definitely given us the confidence we need to continue our strong play going into our home tournament in a few weeks,” Gyseck said.
Captain Mary Frances Hall, ‘18, said she is very optimistic after the team’s performance this weekend, noting that this is an indicator of future success during the season, provided the team works hard.
Gyseck went on to discuss individual players’ performance such as Hall’s. He said Hall had a slow start the first day, shooting an 80, but ended up improving tremendously the next day. She had, as he put it, “one of the best performances of her college career.”
He also talked about key players such as Griffin Foultz, ‘20, who played as an individual this weekend. Foultz shot 84-79-163 (+17) and ended up tying for 25th place with fellow teammate, Beth Anne Townsend, ‘21.
The team’s star player from last year, Liza Freed, ‘18, had a rough weekend, according to the coach, but still pushed through as a solid team member.
“This happens and not everyone can have their best weekend,” Gyseck said.
One unique aspect that the golf team has experienced this year includes expanded contributions from its freshmen players. Townsend and Hannah Jones, ‘21, greatly contributed to the team’s success, according to Gyseck. Jones placed 23rd.
Gyseck says this is also the biggest the W&L golf team has ever been. He is excited they now have “bench players” who are willing to step up and perform just like the starters.
Hall acknowledges that even though the team played very well, each member should keep working hard to strengthen any areas that need work.
“We have our home tournament in a few weeks where we hope to come away with a win, but our goal is always to leave a tournament knowing that we had played our hardest and had done all we could to prepare,” she said.
