Women's Golf Shows Flashes of Brilliance This Fall
11/4/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
Nov. 4, 2002
EAST LANSING, Mich. - After four tournaments in four different states, the Michigan State women's golf team is heading indoors. An eighth-place finish at the Mercedes-Benz Intercollegiate on Oct. 20th marked the end of a fall season that produced some exciting moments on the links.
In the season's first tournament, the NCAA Fall Preview, freshman Dayna Burleigh shot an opening round 73 on her way to a top-20 finish (18th). However, this didn't surprise head coach Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll.
"I don't think anyone questioned Dayna's ability and she definitely stepped in and made a contribution," said Slobodnik-Stoll.
Although Burleigh was good enough to compete in every tournament this fall she knows that she needs to improve on all facets of her game this winter. Atop her list of goals this off-season is working on her short game. The freshman is confident in her long iron play and knows she can cut a few strokes of her 77 average by focusing on her putting and chipping during the winter months.
After a 16th-place finish at the NCAA Fall Preview, the team returned home to host the Mary Fossum Classic. Junior Allison Fouch set the tone for the young Spartan team with an opening round 71. Her spectacular play continued through the final two rounds of the tournament and she landed herself in a sudden death playoff that would decide the tournament's champion. In the playoff, Fouch couldn't come up with the shots to beat Nebraska All-American Sarah Sasse, but her play was integral in the team's third-place finish.
There is no doubt that Fouch's swing is key to MSU's success this spring, but her leadership is even more important. Thus far Slobodnik-Stoll is ecstatic about the roll Fouch has played.
"Allison has all the characteristics of a true leader," said Slobodnik-Stoll "She knows where we need to be with this program, what she needs to do on the golf course and she is not afraid to tell the younger athletes what they need to do for us to be a top 20 program."
As for Fouch, she loves being a leader of the team.
Fouch said, "I've always wanted to be a leader of the team and I'm very excited to do it this year and next."
In preparation for the spring season opener, Fouch plans on traveling to Phoenix during Christmas to play in the Silver Bell Classic. Slobodnik-Stoll would love to travel with the team to a similar tournament, but NCAA rules prevent it.
The team's third tournament of the year took them Las Cruces, N.M., for the Give 'Em Five Intercollegiate. Again, the team showcased their talent with final round 294. However, inconsistent play plagued the team during the first two rounds as they shot 315 and 306 leading to a 915 for the tournament and sixth-place overall.
Sophomore Sarah Martin shined particularly bright in the desert finishing in sixth place (74-75-72-221). This was the sophomore's best finish of the season, but she is never satisfied. The cerebral Martin finds mental exercises helpful in making her a better golfer.
"I like to rip apart each round I play," said Martin "I look at the negative and positive aspects while also comparing what I did to other players."
Martin, like the rest the team can't wait to open the spring season. The team will have a little over three months to work in the weight room and indoors in the golf room they head to the TRW Regional Challenge in Palos Verdes, Calif., Feb. 10-12.
Fall Season ResultsTournament Finish Score Best Individual FinishNCAA Fall Preview 16th 306-317-313=936 Dayna Burleigh/T-18thMary Fossum Classic 3rd 300-300-316=916 Allison Fouch/T-1stGive `Em Five Intercollegiate 6th 315-306-294=915 Sarah Martin/6thMercedes-Benz Intercollegiate 8th 304-313-313=930 Sarah Martin/T-13th
Players Mentioned
