Golf teams prepare to tee it up after a strong finish

Sophomore Chong Li Lee was named to the All-Conference, All-Freshman and Champions of Character Teams last season. In all, the golf program earned 15 conference awards. Photo credit: Loyola University New Orleans

Rosha'E Gibson

 

The men’s and women’s golf teams plan to get back into the swing of things in wake of the upcoming season.

The women’s team made it to the national competition last season and goes into this season ranked seventh in the season polls. The men’s team cracked top 25 last season, something they achieved for the first time ever.

Head Men’s and Women’s Golf Coach Drew Goff received women’s coach of the year honors from the Southern States Athletic Conference last season and was happy with the success of the teams.

Goff will return to lead both the teams this season and says they had a great season last year that will be tough to beat.

“We’re taking it day by day, week by week,” Goff said. “Just kind of doing our thing and the formula doesn’t change.”

Madison Bates, psychology junior, would like the success to carry over from last season and continue her individual growth as well as her growth on the team.

“I would like to keep placing high in the tournaments and ultimately work my way up to playing well in conference,” Bates said.

“And hopefully, as a team, we can make it to nationals and play well there as well.”

Bates has been named to the all-confernce team in the last two seasons. With the season looming, she is optimistic about the year ahead for her team as well as the men’s team.

“We are ranked high going into the season,” Bates said. “Hopefully, we can come back and prove that they ranked us correctly.”

Goff acknowlegded the long season ahead and said its all part of the process.

“We have a great group of kids on both teams,” Goff said. “Its just about setting the goals that we set at the beginning of the year. Those being team goals and individual goals.”

Goff said he sees a lot of promise in the teams.

“With the talent we have on both sides, if we put the work in, we’re going to be a tough team to beat.”