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Young Red Hawk team eyes promising 2008-09 season
The Red Hawk women's golf team saw steady improvement throughout the 2007-08 season and hopes to build on that momentum with the addition of three very competitive freshmen . Amber Steichen (Pulaski, Wis./Pulaski), Amanda Peterson (Appleton, Wis./ East), and Anne Rabacal (Honolulu, Hi./Sacred Hearts Academy) will join the team as freshmen, along with current junior Jessica Solverud. Returning this season with a year of college golf under their belts are junior Katie Schumacher and sophomore Amanda Holdshoe.
While newly minted college grads Gina Heckl, Megan Anderson and Erin Oakley will be sorely missed, second-year coach Cody Pinkston is excited to have new talent waiting in the wings.
"I really believe we can turn some heads this season," said Pinkston. "We have two returning players in Amanda Holdshoe and Katie Schumacher who have really developed a good work ethic and know the ropes plus three new team members, two of whom - Amber Steichen and Amanda Peterson - barely missed going to state last year. We're also going to have Jess Solverud, who loves the game and is committed to improving.
"We're going to be up against a lot of UW teams this year, which I think will help stoke the competitive fire in this team. If we can go toe-to-toe with those teams, we can be extremely competitive in the Midwest Conference. It's going to take a lot of work, but I have a good feeling about this team."
That hard work is going to begin earlier than normal this year, as Pinkston hopes to include golf in the pre-season schedule that other fall sports need to help ramp up.
"Our first meet is the weekend after classes start, on some tough courses in Eau Claire. We'll need all the time we can to prepare."
Practice this year will move from Mascoutin CC in Berlin, Wis. to Lawsonia GC in Green Lake, Wis. - a move that Pinkston hopes will sharpen players' games.
"Lawsonia has very different qualities from Mascoutin, so you need to have different shots in your bag. It'll be interesting to see how the players respond to a different venue and how 'portable' it makes their games."
In addition, Pinkston hopes that the lessons learned from a year's worth of coaching experience will benefit the players.
"The golf-instruction component was something I was already comfortable with, but the administrative aspects of recruiting and planning took some getting used to. I learned a lot about what the title 'coach' really means. It's an awesome responsibility, but rewarding in countless ways - many of which surprised me. Every player shot her career-best score at some point during the season - if that happens this year, look out."
"My goal this year is twofold: move average team scores down into the 360-370 range and finish third or better in the conference. I think we have the talent to do it, but everyone needs to be on board with it. Only time will tell."
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