The fall season is officially here, which means that the members of the WCU Women’s Golf team are ready to tee off their season. Coach Doug Hendricks has been offering his helpful instruction to the Lady Rams throughout the summer so they can be prepared for the upcoming tournaments. The team will be putting a major dent in their fall schedule next weekend, as they compete in two tournaments in Eerie, Pennsylvania. The first will be the Evann Parker Memorial tournament, hosted by Mercyhurst College.
Once the Lady Rams finish the 36th hole of the two-day tournament at Mercyhurst, they will have to rest up and get ready to tee off again the next day for the Michael Corbett Fall Classic, hosted by Gannon University. The team will be forced to get back into the swing of things as they take on 72 holes in 4 days. Luckily the Golden Rams have been putting in the practice throughout the summer to prepare for this physically taxing weekend.
When asking senior captain Gabby Couture about her thoughts on the fall season, the first word that came to her mind was: “excited.” “Everyone is really pumped up and looking forward to this season. Seeing the improvements we’ve made as a team over the past year is very exciting,” describing the upcoming season.
Couture is entering her fourth and final season as a Lady Ram, and she admits her feelings are mixed. “I can’t believe this is my last year playing golf for WCU. It is extremely bittersweet because I’m looking forward to what’s ahead, but sad to think about no longer competing as a Ram.” It’s safe to say that the Maryland native has had a solid few years competing as a Golden Ram. As a freshman, she qualified for every tournament and was able to take that experience with her the next few years. Couture had incredible Fall and Spring ’13 seasons as she was named to the second team all –PSAC squad. This was a notable honor, because she became the first Golden Rams female golfer to earn a spot on either first or second team since the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference began naming all-league teams in 2011. She led the team last season with an 83.9 stroke average, and then finished among the top ten eight times. If those praises don’t impress you, maybe her 77 in the first round of the Fall ’13 PSAC Championships will. That was Couture’s best collegiate round, and the best overall score of the season. “After shooting that 77 at PSACS, my goal for each upcoming tournament is to maintain that same focused mentality, and have fun while doing it.” Staying focused in a mentally and physically demanding sport is easier said than done.
Sophomore Taylor Daskivich has been working hard to get back into the swing of things (no pun intended) for the Fall ’14 season. “I’ve been practicing with the team a lot this summer, and I’m really excited to be entering my second year as a Golden Ram. Everyone was so welcoming and encouraging during my first season, and I want to pass on that positivity to the new members of the team.” The ladies she has been practicing with include the five new freshmen Rams: Mary Kate Ridgway, Casey Monaghan, Lacey Bensing, Lauren Molin and Caleigh Rich. Daskivich stated, “the freshmen are all so hardworking and talented, and will definitely chalk up some low scores this season.”
During their first collegiate round, both Bensing and Molin carded a score in the 80s at the Evann Parker Memorial Tournament hosted by Mercyhurst College. The two freshmen are very happy with their collegiate debut, and hoping to keep a sense of consistency throughout the season. Couture also had a great start to her senior season, carding an 80 in Erie, Pa. “I’m happy with my first score as a senior, and I’m proud of the rest of the team. We were playing in some pretty windy conditions and we all managed to pull through and deliver some low scores.”
All five scores were in the 80’s, which was a great way to tee off their season. The Lady Rams finished fourth overall out of eighteen teams at the Evann Parker Memorial Tournament. If they maintain their energy and focus, the team should be able to chalk up another set of great scores at the Michael Corbett Invitational hosted by Gannon University.
The Women’s Golf team seems ready to take on the challenging tournaments and golf courses that the 2014-2015 season has in store. Their positivity can take them a long way in this mentally taxing sport, and they have great leaders showing this optimistic attitude. Best of luck to the Lady Rams as they tee off this season
Jenna Hopkins can be reached at JH758665@wcupa.edu