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Show /port/ MONDAY-AUGUST 22*2005 B3 UVSC Women's Golf coach ready to hit the links have a program." UVSC is one of only three schools (BYU and Weber State being the others) in the state that carries a women's golf program. "I think that's a huge draw to local golfers to be able to stay home or close by and be able to play," Larson said. "There might be some golfers that can't get into BYU academically, but we can accommodate that and still get them a quality education in four years and still let them play Division I golf." Phillip Morgan Sports Writer In 1492 when Columbus sought America, it wasn't a luxury cruise on a Carnival ship. When Lewis and Clark forged their way through the wilderness of what is now Montana toward the California coast, there wasn't a chain of Comfort Inn suites for them to lay their heads at night. Being the first has never been easy; just ask Denise Larson, the first ever women's head golf coach at UVSC. "The prospect of stalling a Division I team is a bit challenging," said Larson. ''Our Courtesy Photo/UVSC Athletic Dept. first challenge is just getting Coach Larson is focusing all of a team together, finding girls, first D-l women's golf team. and getting them cleared and eligible to play." Larson was hired as the where else," Larson said. head coach on July 12 and "We're working with what has been working effortlessly we've got. I'm really excited recruiting and finding ways about the recruits that we're to field a team come this fall. talking to right now." "I'm excited to bring in reThose recruits are finding cruits here to play, especially their way to UVSC from anyas we look to next year where where Coach Larson can find I can bring the top players out them. "I'm not concentrating of high school; where as right on one area at all. Anyone now, those top players may that can play and is willing to have already signed some- come to UVSC, I'm willing her energy to build UVSC's to talk to'them." Unfortunately, because high school golf programs in the state of Utah are considered co-ed, recruiting in-state isn't as efficient as it is in other states where there are schools fielding teams specifically for women golfers. "A lot of my recruits are transfers," Larson said. "They have left and are coming back now that we Education, both on and off the greens, will be a big part of Coach Larson's focus throughout her career at UVSC.""I would like to teach a lot and instruct on the golf course," she said. "If a player is going to be here for the next few years then they need to start now building on their skills and getting a better understanding of the mental game of golf, not just the fundamentals of the swing. I want to make sure the players come out of here with a solid understanding of the game and what it can do for their lives." With seven to nine spots Former Wolverine standout Ronnie Price signs two-year guaranteed contract to play for the Sacramento Kings From PRICE -B1 final year competing at the junior college level after he decided to transfer from Nichols. And from his arrival, he did nothing but get better. As a sophomore he averaged over 15 points a game, an average that jumped to 20 as a junior and to over 24 as a senior. Among the accolades earned while a Wolverine, Price was named the NCAA Division 1 Independent Player of the Year, and a member of the All-District 8 team after this season. From UVSC to the NBA, Ronnie will be the first Wolverine ever to make that direct jump. I asked him if he thought about possibly writing a book about his recent experiences. "I don't know, maybe," he laughed. I'm not the best writer in the world, I'll have to find somebody to write it for me." UVSC head basketball * coach Dick Hunsaker couldn't say enough about his former standout. "What a wonderful time for Ronnie Price and his family. To sign an NBA contract after being bypassed through the draft speaks so much of the bright future we have all seen and appreciated at UVSC. Sacramento is arguable the class organization of the entire league. Sacramento is a wonderful fit for Ronnie." Though the color of his uniform will change, Hunsaker and Wolverine fans will always remember his "priceless" days in green and gold. And they'll be watching him help Sacramento; just like he helped put UVSC basketball, on the map. Courtesy Photo/UVSC Athletics Ronnie Price will have the next two years to make it in the NBA. STUDY. HISTORY'S GREAT LEADERS lECtWEQNEli to fill on the team, Larson is looking for anyone to come out and give golf a try. She'll be staging an open tryout on August 29 and 30 with two 18-hole rounds. For more information you can contact UVSC's athletic department. Unlike Lewis and Clark, we live in the 21st century; and no matter how long it takes Coach Larson to blaze .a trail of successful women golfers at UVSC, she can find comfort in knowing that success comes with time. "99 percent of these girls probably won't go on to play professionally," she said. "But if I can help them to come out of UVSC with a four-year degree so they can function in the world, that is more important to me." Fun out on the course So what, are wolverines just some sort of glorified badgers? • - From RANT • B1 —Barbara, Spanish Fork marshal. "No," said Uncle Bill quickly stopping me. "I kinda' like this." Bill caused me to realize something. We were actually good at golf. Compared to these guys we were something to behold. And that's when I took Betty Sue (my faithful Wilson driver) and belted a Calloway ball over 250 yards, right into the middle of their game on the next hole. "Four!" I yelled politely. The Future CEO's of America asked me why I did that. "Never mind why I did it, you should be asking me how I did it," I responded. "That was my longest drive ever." The only answer I could give them: they were my inspiration. For those that play, the great game of golf with the intention of gearing up for the PGA, or even to beat the guy next to them for that matter, there's nothing wrong with that. You might wanna pick a course other ton East Bay, but you get my drift. On the other hand, be willing to accept the guy playing the game for a different reason. After all, his course fee was the same as yours. On that note, see you at Thanksgiving Point. Actually, scratch that; make that Pebble Beach. Nk •:.-.<# "* 't* Wolverine Wisdom 3tf*- No, Barbara, we are not glorified badgers. In fact, the ofily thing we have in common with those slippery rodents, is that we're both members of the Mustelidae family. Minks, weasels and skunks are also Mustelidaes but I don't claim any relation to them either. The badger would rather hunker down in the earth by digging holes. We prefer climbing trees. They mostly hunt squirrels and gophers, whereas I prefer a good caribou if I can get my claws on one. If not, I'll settle for a gojod deer. ; Rumor has it, that you were a little bitter last year at Ronnie Price because his success took so much attention away from you. That true? • —Tom, Provo No, me and Ronnie are cool. I mean, yeah, 24 points a game wasn't bad; but c'mon, there's still quite a few things I can do that he can't. For instance, you probably don't know this, Tom, but I once drug a 75-pound animal carcass 40 miles across I-15 into the McKay Events Center. I'd like to see Mr. Price try that. So what did you do durmg the long, hot summer? And are you ready for the upcoming athletics season? What do you predict? ^•Vv, *?** —Sally, Orem ^ 55^ •>:•? ; % ^ • &. «*X& .4 V*^ *!'k': FSi v- ^ ^ ^ • ' ^ ^ "NCI .x" K-"" v#^J -^. . • / ' ',«,. ••!!W EJ J 7C;/' J ^ : ^*; v V. -<'"''-'. ARMY OF ONE. m • / * - - • , • * ' • • • . ^ : : -:^.V •-£ ' ' k .w Oogh, the summer, thanks for asking. Yeah, I was up in Alaska for a little bit doing some fishing where most of my relatives live. Believe it or not, Sally, but I'm the only known Wolverine that exists in Utah. And I've also been doing some charity work here in the area as well; but I'm definitely ready to begin our 3rd season as a divisionone program. I think UVSC is prime and ready to start taking the NCAA by storm. Look for Sam Atoa and the women's volleyball team to start things off right by upsetting Kansas right here in the Activities Center on September 1st. Army ROTC is a college elective that prepares you to graduate as an Officer, a leader of the U.S. Army. Your career as a decision maker starts with the first class. ENROLL IN ARMY ROTC f J L BECOME AN ARMY OFFICER M, U.S.ARMY Become a Great Leaden Register for Military Science 1200! To learn more contact SFC Boughton at 863-8295, Sports Desk (801) 863-8603 : Visit us online at www.netxnow&n Thanks to those who submitted questions. If you have a question for the Wolverine, please drop him (or her) an email at smiggs86@hotmail. com. to smiggs86@hotmail.com |