University of Minnesota Athletics
Women's Fall Golf Season One to Remember
11/5/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
Led by four experienced seniors, the Minnesota women's golf program completed one of the best fall seasons in the history of the program. The Gophers recorded four of the lowest 54-hole scores in school history, including two of the three best, and finished in the top-10 in each tournament.
Minnesota established the foundation for a memorable season at the first event of the fall, concluding the Cougar Classic with the third- lowest three-round score in program history. Earning seventh place at the 19-team tournament, the Gophers recorded rounds of 289, 296, and 307 for a 54-hole total of 892.
The women continued their success in their next tournament at the Golfweek Conference Challenge, recording the 10th-lowest 54-hole score all-time along with an eighth place finish at the highly competitive 18-team event. The following event brought more good fortune for Minnesota, as the team carded yet another top-1- performance, an eighth place finish, and the 12th-lowest Gopher event total ever at the Lady Northern in Chicago, Ill.
The Gophers then capped off the fall season with their most impressive accomplishment at the Las Vegas Invitational. Minnesota posted rounds of 300, 281, and 296 for a three round total of 877, the lowest 54-hole total in the history of the school's women's golf program. The second round score of 281 was also the lowest 18-hole score in team history. The tournament marked the team's fourth consecutive top-10 finish, as the Gophers tied for sixth at the 17-team event.
In addition to the accolades garnered as a collective team, Minnesota's individual golfers also boast impressive accomplishments from the fall. Gopher seniors Teresa Puga, Michele Edlin, Samantha Sommers, and Mary Narzisi all had seasons that rank among the program's best.
Director of Instruction Ernie Rose credits the hard work of his most experienced golfers and it's easy to see why the foursome have had so much success this year and in their careers.
"I have to give a lot of credit to the seniors," said Rose. "They lead by example, they don't complain, and they are some of the hardest working students you will see. They have just done an outstanding job for us."
Puga, a team captain from Spain, posted the lowest fall season scoring average in school history with 73.25. A three-time Gopher Most Valuable Golfer winner, Puga led Minnesota with three top-20 finishes.
Edlin's season highlight came in the second round of the Golfweek Conference Challenge when she recorded a team-low card of 68 en route to a career-best 217 total and fourth place finish. Her fall scoring average of 74.91 ranks third best in school history.
Having recorded a season-low 72 at the Golfweek Conference Challenge with a fall season-best 30th place finish, Narzisi's fall scoring average puts her at 12th all time in the Gopher record books. Sommers played in all four events, recording a season-best 22nd place finish at the Lady Northern. Her season average of 76.77 is good for the 17th-lowest season average of any Gopher.
Looking to build on their fall performance, Coach Rose is also excited about the team's chances for the spring season.
"We're really excited about the spring and I think we can contend for the Big Ten Championship," said Rose. "Our girls are working hard every day to get us into a position to do so."
The team will be looking to carry over their fall success to the second half of the school year when they begin their spring season on Feb. 6 at the Alumni Challenge in Phoenix, Ariz.
Players Mentioned
