OCR Text |
Show Men's Golf Text: Chris J. Miller r I " f . .... . J X I '-- , . , , T..- I Text: Kirk Oram One of the toughest assignments of any college athletic team is to come back and repeat as champions. Last year, Weber State won the women's Division II Golf Championship behind the talented play of Kerri Clark, Carolina Fernandez and Chris Newton. Only Clark graduated from last year's team, and co-captains Fernandez and Newton were called on to lead the team this year as they attempted to climb once more to the top of the Division II rankings. But despite being ranked close to the top all year long, the Lady Cats were not able to win the big one, finishing third behind Troy State and Florida Atlantic in the Small College Championship. In the Small College Championships held in Wilmington, North Carolina, the Lady Cats got off to a slow start and never recovered. Despite a blazing final round, the lowest team score for the entire tournament, the 'Cats couldn't close in on the team winner Troy State. Newton finished fourth overall in the tourney, while Becky Whitworth took sixth place. Fernandez suffered various ailments during the year and was forced out of action, leaving the leadership role to Newton. Once again, the Wildcat golf team was right in the thick of the District Seven action. And once again, they came up just short of their goal. At the start of the season, Coach Mac Madsen felt confident his team could make the final three teams that are selected to compete in the NCAA tournament. Besides several experienced performers, the 'Cats were adding a couple of young players who could possibly benefit the team. The team started off in fine mettle, placing well in several big tournaments, even winning their own Mike Farrell Invitational in record-setting fashion. But down the stretch, Weber did not make the putts and drives when needed in the final three tourneys of the year. Weber golfers not only didn't play well, but they were not able to finish ahead of New Mexico, their arch-rival in the District Seven race. So, for the second year in a row, Weber was denied an entrance into the NCAA tourney. Last year, Weber won the Big Sky but was passed over for Nevada-Reno. One of the interesting facts is that two WAC coaches sit on the District nominating committee along with Madsen. Despite the 'Cats not winning the Big Sky Tournament nor being invited to the NCAA tourney, the year was not without its highlights. Weber won its own Farrell Invitational with a record score of 1,073, breaking the old record by 14 strokes. The Wildcats charged from way back to come within striking distance at the Big Sky tourney in Lewiston, Idaho. But Nevada-Reno held on for the team title. Individually, Weber's Paul Muller finished third in the medalist race. Glen Spencer finished fourth. Two Weber golfers, Carito Villaroman and Miguel Tola, were invited to compete in the NCAA tourney as individuals. It marked the 16th straight year the Wildcats have been represented by either a player or an individual. Also, Madsen was named District Seven Coach of the Year for his efforts. Bobby Romero is the lone senior on this year's team, which means Weber could be a force to reckon with in the near future. Members of the 1985-86 Wildcat team were Romero, Muller, Spencer, Villaroman, Tola, Beau Yokomoto, Peter Hoff and Ed Baker. Women's Golf And Newton responded well as the team leader. The junior from Whitefish, Montana finished the season as the number one-ranked golfer in Division II. This is the third year in a row a WSC woman golfer has been ranked number one in Division II. Newton also won the Montana State Amateur this past year. Becky Whitworth was a pleasant surprise for Coach Carl Lynn this season. She came on in the absence of Fernandez and helped keep Weber in contention all season long. Both she and Newton were impressive all year, enough to make the NCAA Division II Ail-American team. : ' V " - t y . ' i 1 I 1 1 v X ? V f v f - r "t . f j" .. v ' 1 , ' .s - ' I ft ' ' t , or rx y ' y )T . i' WTw- EASE IT ON IN, BABY, coaches Miguel Tola, as his ball glides towards the hole. (Signpost photo: Matthew Brown) LADY Cats, Carolina Fernandez (near) and Chris Newton relax during competition. Both were top golfers for the team. The two will be representing Weber State in the Division I women's tournament June 28-31 in Ohio. They were two of only 17 indiviiduals who were chosen to play with the 17 teams involved. Particularly pleasing to Lynn is the fact that both his top players will be back next year for their senior seasons. Other players this year for the Lady Cat linkster squad were Julie Zapf, Michelle Thornton, Heidi Easterday, and Jenny Ewald. Since there are no seniors on the squad, Lynn looks to next year with much anticipation. |