Wingate Women’s Golf off to a Great Start

Tariah Harrell, Staff Writer

The Wingate University women’s golf team has been off to a great start this 2016-2017 year. They are currently ranked  36th in NCAA Division II Women’s golf. “So far we’ve had a really successful season,” head women’s coach Erin Thorne said. The team has participated in seven tournaments so far (between 12-18 teams competing in each)  and found themselves in the top-five, five times with two runner-up positions.

“The biggest highlight of the season came from our last tournament, Pfeiffer Invitational at The Golf Club in Hilton Head Lakes, when we set two new program records. In round one, we shot 292 (+4), which is now the 18 hole team scoring record and a two-day total of 591, and is now the 36 hole team scoring record,” Thorne says.

That was the first time the Bulldogs had both rounds sub 300 and the only second and third time in program history to shoot in the 300’s. “From an individual standpoint, we have seen the first sub par rounds since I have taken over the program three years ago,” Coach Thorne said. In the fall, Cristina Casanella shot an opening round 71 at the Patsy Rendleman Invitational and then shot an opening round 70 at the Pfeiffer Invitational.

While practicing five days a week at either Rolling Hills Country Club or Monroe Country  Club, the lady bulldogs also work out two times a week with Coach Hayes, the Director of Strength and Conditioning). Their goal for every practice is to “train beyond the demands of performance”.

“As we look to the SAC Championship, we will use the remaining two tournaments as our gauge in who will be our top five. One of the remaining tournaments is at the course that we will be hosting the Conference tournament so we are excited to get a few extra rounds in there with the pressure of the tournament to fully prepare to play our best at SAC” Coach Thorne says.

The Wingate Golf Team will be hosting the Wingate Intercollegiate Challenge on March 20th-21st at the Rolling Hills Country Club in Monroe, N.C.

Photo Source: Wingate University Athletics

Edited by: Brea Childs