With first place finishes in three of their first four tournaments, the Gustavus Women’s Golf team looks sharp thus far in the fall season

After closing with a strong  sixth-place finish in the NCAA Division III Championship last May, the Women’s Golf team is ready for another great year.

The first meet of the year was the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Invitational on Aug. 30, 2008, where the Gusties got a chance to strut their stuff. They placed first in the tournament of 25 teams, beating out Wartburg and St. Thomas for the victory, but that wasn’t the last of their astonishing play. They also placed first in the following two tournaments they also placed first. On Sept. 6 they crushed Illinois Wesleyan by 23 points at the Wartburg Invitational and the beat home team Wartburg by 24.

Next up for the Gusties was the Carleton Invitational,  where they stomped out UW-Eau Claire and St. Thomas by 31 points. At the Mustang Invitational on Sept. 20, they didn’t fare so well. It wasn’t a first place finish for the women, but they did take away fourth in an incredibly tight tournament.

After last year’s spectacular finish, the team’s goals are simple: “better team scoring average, winning tournaments and, of course, winning the MIAC championship,” said Senior Kimbra Kosak.

Kosak is also one of the leading scorers for the team. At the Mustang Invitational, Kosak finished in fourth place individually, helping bring the Gusties to a fourth-place overall. This finish, however, wasn’t horrible, considering the fact that Gustavus was one of only two Division III teams in the tournament.

“Take it one day at a time,” said Junior Kali Griggs, “and the results will take care of themselves.” This philosophy has led the women to three out of four possible first places so far this year.

“A couple more of our goals are to build on our past successes and improve [at] each tournament,” said Griggs.

While working their way up that victory ladder, the team relies on the help of Coaches Scott Moe and Randall Stuckey. Coach Moe often encourages the women to leave it all out on the field, which is proving to be a good strategy.

Kosak and Griggs are consistently performing well for the team, and Sophomore Katie Schenfeld has been helping out by placing within the top 20 in every tournament so far this year. First-years Taylor Drenttel and Amanda Woodhull have also placed high in play this season.

“I’m really proud of the success our team has accomplished so far. All of my teammates are very hard-working and determined and it shows on and off the course,” said Drenttel.

The Gusties have this weekend off, but next week they will play at the MIAC Championships at the Bunker Hills Golf Club in Coon Rapids, MN. It is a public event, and all students are welcome. The tee-off is Saturday, Oct. 4, and the time is to be announced.