Trojan News

MIDLAND, Ga - The Trevecca women's golf team is in 6th place after round one of the NAIA Unaffiliated National Tournament Qualifier at Bull Creek East Golf Course on Monday. There are 10 teams and 47 golfers competing.

The course, located near Columbus, Ga., is playing to a par of 72 over 5965 yards. The winner advances to the NAIA National Tourmament. Trevecca made their first appearance at the NAIA Tournament last season.

The Lady Trojans carded a 354, while Shorter College leads the field with a 333. Spring Hill College (335) sits in 2nd place, while Bethel University is in 3rd at 339. Lee University (344) and Mobile (351) are just in front of the Trojans.

Senior Betsy Beaver leads the Trojans effort with a 84, placing her in 11th place overall. Mobile's Maegan Rice and Shorter's Catalina Olarte are tied for first after shooting a 6-over 78.

The rest of the Trevecca contingent were Ashley Birdwell at 87 in 14th place, Whitney Phillips is 22nd after carding a 90. Alyssa Moe (93) and Maddie Privott (93) round out the Trojan participants.

Trevecca coach Michael Johnson commented following the first round of play, "A year ago we were celebrating a fifth straight TranSouth championship and along with it, a trip to the national tournament. Now, we're just looking at a few missed opportunities this year and thinking about what might have been. Today's round was kind of a snapshot of what this whole spring has been like.  A couple of girls had tough starts but came on strong on the back and then we had a couple that lost some strokes coming in."

"We just need to finish… That's the goal for tomorrow - FINISH STRONG! In all likelihood, we'll wrap the season up tomorrow and it would be great to go out with a little wind in our sails on the strength of some good play."

Johnson continued commenting on Tuesday's potential, "20 strokes is not unheard in team golf… Unlikely, yes. Impossible no. It's just a matter of each player picking up a little bit, especially on the greens. Our ball striking is right there with some of the best teams, but we just seem to struggle a bit with the putter in our hands at times.

"I love my team. They're wonderful young ladies who represent Trevecca very well. It happens a lot that other folks - parents, coaches - from the teams we play with will tell me how much they enjoy playing with us. I think that's a real credit to the kind of people we have at TNU and I appreciate the privilege I have of being their coach."

The tournament will wrap up Tuesday, and the winner gets a spot at the 2010 NAIA National Championships May 25-28 at Meadowbrook Municipal Golf Course in Rapid City, S.D.