Feb. 19, 2012
The Lady Monarchs spring season begins on Feb. 26th at Kiawah Islandby Donell Williams - Athletic Communications Student intern
Under the leadership of first year head coach Carol Robertson the Lady Monarchs are getting ready to begin the second half of their season at the Kiawah Island Intercollegiate, Feb. 26-28.
In her first year as head coach Robertson has had an impressive season so far including a win at the Towson Women's Invitational and top ten finishes at the Wolfpack Golf Classic and Fighting Camel Fall Classic.
Robertson said about her first big win, "To see them come from behind and win, was very rewarding." She is using her experience from her time as a professional golfer to help revitalize the Lady Monarchs golf program.
The golfers are excited to be playing for their new coach. Junior Samantha Morrell,a two-time All-CAA selection (North Kingstown, RI) said, "We want to do good for her, so we want to do our best."
The team is led by Morrell who placed first at the Lady Pirate Intercollegiate, Kimberley Bradbury (DerbyShire, England) who placed second at the Towson Invitational, and sophomore Elizabeth Haycock who earned first team All-CAA honorslast season.
The mild winter that they have been experiencing in Hampton Roads has allowed the Lady Monarchs more time to practice before their Spring opener.
Robertson said "We've gotten to play so many more 18 hole-rounds compared to last season.This really helps our preparation."
Senior Connie Farmer (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) said, "We have been playing well in practice and feel good about heading into the Kiawah Island Classic."
The Lady Monarchs will be playing against some of the best teams in the nation in the Kiawah Island Intercollegiate which is held in Kiawah Island, South Carolina. Held Feb 26th-28th, it is the one of the biggest tournaments in women's collegiate golf and includes top 100 ranked teams in the nation such as UNC Greensboro, Campbell and Chattanooga.
The Lady Monarch golfers are excited about there upcoming season which includes two tournaments (Hoya and JMU Eagle Landing) they have never played in before. Morrell said, "It's exciting playing against new teams on new courses. It is going to build our reputation."
Both Robertson and her players have high expectation for this spring season. Robertson said, "We are really working hard on our short and middle games. Even if we are not hitting the ball well that day we are still going to bring in a good score."
Farmer said "We have a good team atmosphere and we are feeling confident about what we can accomplish this spring"
Robertson said about the CAA Tournament this year, "I feel if we are consistent as I plan on us being, I have high expectations for us in the CAA. I want to stay in contention the whole entire year."
Robertson is happy about the reemergence of the Lady Monarchs golf program. "Ourgoal for this program in the next few years is to be one of the top teams." She plans to look upon the upcoming senior and junior classes to help out the incoming class of future student athletes.
Robertson said about being a coach at ODU, "The sky is the limit for ODU. I am just so grateful to be a part of it. So excited, I really feel like I can make a difference here."