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2008
Wingate University Women's Golf Team
Season Outlook
Last year, the Wingate
University women’s golf team battled for pride and reputation in the
South Atlantic Conference. Newberry College seemed to have the most
talent, but Tusculum College and Wingate University were close behind
and always battled each other intensely. On the course, neither team
gave quarter nor expected any. With the golf clubs stored in the van,
the teams frequently went to dinner together. Winners were gracious
and losers offered congratulations and looked to the next round.
In Wingate’s home event at Stonebridge Golf Club in March, the
Bulldogs won first place by eight strokes over Tusculum, establishing
team records for best round (307) and team event (626). In the Food
Lion South Atlantic Conference championships at Lake Hickory Country
Club, Tusculum captured second by one stroke over Wingate. The Food
Lion SAC event was superb competition and great drama.
In May, the Bulldogs watched seniors Beth Kirkham and
Brittany Staton walk across the stage to receive their diplomas.
Kirkham played in every event for four years and concluded her senior
year with two All-Tournament placements. In addition, she won both
All-SAC and All-SAC tournament honors. Kirkham holds the record for
the best season average (79.55) and best competitive round (72, even
par) in Wingate women’s golf history.
When practice began at Eagle Chase Golf Club in September, 2007, the
Bulldogs had three experienced players in senior Shannon Smith
(Laurinburg, N.C.), junior Kacie Braxton (Graham, N.C.) and
sophomore Lauren Seefeldt (Huntersville, N.C.). The driving
range was sprinkled with new faces brightened by high hopes. Freshmen
Ashley Denton (Wendell, N.C.), Anna Lee Croom (Asheboro,
N.C.), Andrea Velasquez (Anaco, Veneuzela), Shannon Rae
(Hudson, Wis.) and Mary Green (Martinez, Ga.) immediately
showed they had talents to strengthen the Wingate women. The
qualifying competition was intense with Denton, Croom and Velasquez
winning spots to join Smith and Braxton as the varsity travelers.
The first test was the Old North State Club in New London, N.C.,
always a premier track and lovely in early autumn. After the first
round, Wingate trailed only host Pfeiffer by two strokes and led
Newberry by six. Denton was tied for first day medalist with a
sterling 74. Perhaps surprised by success and a little excited, the
girls weakened the second day. Wingate held second by a stroke. The
Old North State event serves notice the Bulldogs are for real.
The Bulldogs dispelled any doubts at Link Hills Country Club in
Greeneville, Tenn. with a first place trophy, led by Denton’s
79-75=154. She was followed closely by Croom’s 159 and Smith’s 162.
The team celebrated its early maturation and the 19-stroke victory
over host Tusculum.
The following weekend, many of the same teams gathered at River Hills
Golf & Country Club in Little River, S.C. Neither Tusculum nor Wingate
played particularly well, but Tusculum finished fourth and Wingate
seventh. Apart from Denton’s first day 77, the smiles were a little
weak. One week later, 13 teams gathered at the Country Club of
Salisbury, a Donald Ross gem. The play was better the first day, but
the Bulldogs were mired in fourth. They were disappointed and
determined to show their worth. The second day’s results renewed the
smiles and high fives: Denton shot 75, while Croom and Velasquez each
carded a 78—the three freshmen all scoring in the 70s and leading
Wingate to a team 311, the best round of the season. As a result,
Wingate placed a strong third place and well ahead of rival Tusculum.
When the results of the fall season were published, the Wingate
Bulldogs were in first place among the South Atlantic Conference
teams, eleventh among all NCAA Division II women’s teams and ninth in
the NCAA Division II South Region.
Challenges in the 2008 spring championship season abound. In the month
of February, Wingate immediately faces the strong Florida Division II
teams in the Kiawah Invitational at Cougar Point Golf Club and in the
Florida Southern Classic at Cleveland Heights Club in Lakeland, Fla.
In March and April, the Wingate women will play at Crescent Golf Club,
Olde Sycamore Golf Plantation and Link Hills again as they prepare for
the Food Lion South Atlantic Conference Championship at Lake Hickory
Country Club. Wingate will host the J. Ralph Hargett Memorial
Intercollegiate Women’s Golf Tournament March 31 and April 1 at
the Olde Sycamore Golf Plantation.
Only one outcome will satisfy the Bulldog women, but many drives must
be straight and many putts must fall. In the end, the most important
thing will be the thrill of intense competition and the opportunity to
play one’s best in the midst of others who are performing well. They
will represent Wingate University with pride and talent.
Please send all comments or
suggestions regarding the website to dsherwod@wingate.edu
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