Women's Golf Inks Recruiting Class For Fall 2007
11/15/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
Nov. 15, 2006
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State head women's golf coach Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll announced Wednesday that three players have signed National Letters of Intent with the Green and White. Ashley Lance, Aimee Neff and Michelle Bowles are scheduled to attend Michigan State and compete for the Spartan golf team in 2007-08.
"We really look for kids that fit in our program and vice-versa, it is a two-way street," Slobodnik-Stoll said. "Our program strives to be in the top-10 in the nation and places high expectations on academics. All three of these girls have the same desire for success both athletically and academically that we as a program have.
"We will need each of them to step up immediately, as we will lose three seniors and important scorers next season," Slobodnik-Stoll added. "Both myself and assistant coach Lorne Don felt very strongly about these three in knowing that they are going to be very important for our program."
Franklin, Tenn., native Ashley Lance is a no stranger to the spotlight. After finishing runner-up in the Tennessee A-AA Championship as a freshman, Lance has won the title the past two seasons, carding the second lowest score in state history with a 66. She also took runner-up at the 2005 Tennessee Junior Amateur and qualified for the U.S. Girls Junior Amateur in 2005 and 2006. In eight years of competition (1998-2006), Lance has taken first at 40 tournaments, in addition to finishing second at 17 more.
"Ashley is just a wonderful person," Slobodnik-Stoll said. "She came here to visit twice and it was one of those things that feel into place. From the first meeting, we just clicked. She is the type of kid that plays with a lot of emotion. She will be a great addition to our team."
Indianapolis, Ind., native Aimee Neff has also experienced great success in her prep career, and is currently ranked No. 16 in the American Junior Golf Association poll of golf rankings. Neff helped Brebeuf Jesuit erase a 25-stroke deficit and clinch the school's first state title in 2006, while placing second individually. Her two-under 70 on the second day of competition was the lowest round in the history of the championship. Over this past summer, Neff became just the second player ever from Indiana to win an AJGA tournament and was the youngest player to advance from the first qualifier for the U.S. Women's Open in Chicago. Neff also competed in the Future Collegiates World Tour, where she had a top-10 finish in the National Championship, earning Central Region Player of the Year and First-Team All-American honors.
"We first met Aimee last fall and just loved her," Slobodnik-Stoll said. "She is a very special person and just a sports nut. Aimee is a great all-around athlete and played on the state championship basketball team. On her visit, I took her over to see Tom (Izzo) and they talked for at least a half an hour. I think that really helped her see the family atmosphere we have at Michigan State. We have been in constant contact, recommending books to each other, and Aimee follows the team closely on the web."
Michigan State's third signee will be welcomed by the Spartans from not only a different state, but a different country, as Michelle Bowles joins the team from Mexico. Between the ages 14-15, Bowles won 10 of 12 events on the Mexican Junior Tour. With family ties in the state, Bowles played Junior Golf in Michigan in 2005, and was the Golf Association of Michigan junior medalist and match play champion. Bowles qualified to represent Mexico in a two-player event against Central and South America in the summer of 2006, and finished second individually. In total, Bowles has compiled 19 wins and nine second-place finishes in her Mexico Junior Golf career.
"Michelle has lived her whole life in Mexico, but her father is originally from Michigan," Slobodnik-Stoll said. "She played her junior year of Junior Golf in Michigan, and that is how we got hooked on to her. She is a fun and an accomplished player. Michelle was just another player where we were in contact, met, and everything just felt right.
"Ashley, Aimee and Michelle will be great additions to our program and we are very excited to have them join the Spartan family," Slobodnik-Stoll said.
