Women's Golf Hosts Mary Fossum Invitational
9/17/2003 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
Sept. 17, 2003
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State women's golf team hosts the Marry Fossum Invitational this Saturday-Sunday (Sept. 20-21) at Forest Akers West Golf Course on the Michigan State campus. The three-round invitational consisting of 16 teams tees off with a shotgun start on Saturday at 8:30 a.m. Teams will play 36 holes on Saturday and complete the final 18 holes on Sunday with play beginning at 9 a.m.
Teams scheduled to compete include: Arkansas, Eastern Michigan, Illinois, Illinois State, Indiana, Kansas, Kent State, Marshall, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ohio, Southern Methodist, Toledo, Western Michigan and Wisconsin.
The Mary Fossum Invitational, formerly the Spartan Fall Classic, is a tribute to the former Michigan State women's golf coach. Fossum's career at MSU spanned three decades (1973-1997), and she was key in MSU's rise to the upper echelon of women's collegiate golf. During her tenure, MSU captured six Big Ten titles, including an unprecedented five in a row from 1974-78. With Fossum at the helm, the Spartans played in six consecutive AIAW National Championships (1973-78) and two NCAA National Championships (1982, 1984).
"Our home tournament is one of the most important tournaments for our team during the year," said seventh-year head coach Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll. "It is a chance for us to showcase Forest Akers Golf Course, but it also gives our parents a chance to come out and support the team.
"One of the most special parts of the weekend is the fact that we can honor Mary (Fossum). She has done so much for Michigan State golf, and this is our chance to thank her for what she has accomplished."
Michigan State turned in an impressive opening tournament, as the Spartans won the rain-shortened Badger Invitational with a two-round score of 608 (303-305). MSU also had the two of the top three individuals as senior Allison Fouch (Grand Rapids, Mich.) captured medalist honors after shooting a 144 (73-71), and senior Sarah Martin (Grosse Ile, Mich.) had a career-best finish of third. All told, each member of the five-person Spartan traveling squad placed in the top 20.
"Through the seven rounds of qualifying, we were very encouraged by the depth of the team," said Slobodnik-Stoll. "It was one of the things that this team was lacking last year. It makes me very excited to see what we can accomplish this year with our team depth."
Mary Fossum Tournament InformationHost School: Michigan State UniversityLocation: East Lansing, Mich.Dates: Sept. 20-21, 2003Course: Forest Akers West Golf CoursePar/Yardage: 72 / 6,053Format: 36-18=542002 Mary Fossum Champion: Kent State (299-310-298-307)2002 Mary Fossum Medalist: Sarah Sasse, Nebraska (75-74-72-221)Field (15): Arkansas, Eastern Michigan, Illinois, Illinois State, Indiana, Kansas,Kent State, Marshall, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ohio, Southern Methodist,Toledo, Western Michigan and Wisconsin.
All-Time Winners of the Mary Fossum Invitational Winner MSU Finish1978 Alabama 3rd1979 Ohio State 4th1980 Ohio State 8th1981 Michigan State 1st1982 Penn State 2nd1983 Ohio State 4th1984 Indiana 2nd1985 Michigan State 1st1988 Ohio State 6th1989 Nebraska 2nd1990 Bowling Green 5th1991 Northern Illinois 8th1992 Ohio State 3rd1993 Indiana 7th1995 Wisconsin 3rd1997 Indiana 2nd1998 Michigan State 1st1999 Indiana 7th2000 Minnesota 4th2001 Cancelled Due to 9/11 tragedy2002 Kent State 3rd
- The last Spartan golfer to win the Mary Fossum Classic was Kasey Gant in 1998.