Women's Golf Season-in-Review
UNIVERSITY PARK, IL — The Governors State women's golf program continued to develop in 2017-18, resulting in record-low scores and the team's first dual win.
The historic win occurred October 21 against IU Northwest at Lincoln Oaks. The event brought together the two-best golfers in school history with Kendall Paris and Anne Best paired in the same group. Paris finished first with an 85, shaving two strokes off her school record, while Best shot a 95 in her lone appearance of the season to close a brief, but productive stint at GSU.
Paris set a GSU season scoring record with a 96.2 average and in the process tied the school's 18-holes record in just her third round. Paris also set school records for 36 holes (182) and 54 holes (309). The junior from Flossmoor faced a NCAA Division I field at the Chi-Town Fall Classic and on April 26 became the first Jaguar to earn CCAC Golfer of the Week honors.
"Paris performed really well and was there for us every step of the way," said GSU Head Coach Mark Haines. "She's the best golfer we've had here and carried a heavy academic load, which at times prevented her from practicing."
Weather played havoc to the Jaguars' spring plans as the team lost four rounds of golf. It wasn't until April 20 — a six-month break from its last fall competiton — that GSU played its spring opener, giving the team one week to prepare for the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Championships, where it finished 10th.
The highlight of the season was an appearance at the 32nd PGA Minority Collegiate Championship, held at the PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida. It marked the first 54-hole event in the program's history and showcased GSU golf on a national stage.
In her second year as a starter, senior Megan Kirn posted the team's third-best scoring average (111.7). She broke 100 for the first time with a 92 against IUNW, lowing her career-best round by nine strokes. Kirn finished her career as the school's all-time leader in tournament appearances (17) and rounds play (26).
Left-hander Emily Bell, a four-time GSU Athletics Honor Roll recipient, appeared in seven tournaments while doctoral candidate Hollie Campbell returned to the fold in the spring (after sitting out the fall season) and took part in the Jaguars Spring Invitational.
The 2017-18 season also saw the debut of senior Gabriella Pierre-Louis who competed in six tournaments.
Academically, the Jaguars placed five student-athletes on the CCAC All-Academic Team, tying Olivet Nazarene for the most selections. GSU also produced three NAIA-Daktronics Scholar-Athletes.
GSU will need to rebuilt next year with the departure of five golfers due to graduation. Nevertheless, Haines likes where the program is heading.
"Overall, the program is moving in the proper direction. We're getting a lot more competitive and the team continues to do a great job in the classroom."
