Women's golf starts rebuilding year

By Erin Chambers

The Bronco women's golf team sought lower scores and higher team spirit as they opened the 2001-02 season at the Lady Otter Invitational. Coming off a tumultuous season last year, the fairly young team pulled together to take a second place finish at the 2001 season opener.

The 2000-01 season ended abruptly last year as rain postponed a match against Portland State and then Santa Clara canceled their closing match against Cal Poly due to injuries. Also at the season's close, sophomore standout Jessica Abbott was unable to play due to back injuries, and junior Sarah Dahm decided to forgo her final year of eligibility.

Seeking to overcome last year's somewhat rocky season, second-year Head Coach Polly Schultz did some heavy recruiting and signed four letters of intent. The incoming freshman include Jessica Lamberty of Pasadena, who was coached privately at Altadena Golf Course and won the Paradise Knolls Junior Championship.

"Along with our current players, these four will create a solid foundation to move the women's golf program toward national prominance," Schultz said.

Coach Shultz's predictions were right on target as the lady Broncos shot their way to second place last weekend at the Invitational. After one day of play at the Black Hole Golf Course in Seaside, University of British Colombia had a four stroke lead over hosts CSU Monterey Bay, and the Broncos were in third with a team score of 353.

"They all had some first collegiate tournament jitters, but they worked through it," Schultz said. "I took it as a good sign that the girls were not happy with their scores and wanted to go out and do better tomorrow."

First tournament jitters vanished on day two of the tournament as the team fired a 338, 11 shots better than the Otters, to take over second place behind University of British Colombia. The Broncos dominated individually on day two as well.

Lamberty shot the third best round of the day with an eight over par 81 and ended the tournament sixth overall, just seven strokes off the lead. Anne Bowden, Santa Clara's top finisher, fired an 81 and an 84 to tie for third place overall.

The Bronco golfers return to the course in late October for the Bronco Fall Classic. The two-day, 36-hole tournament is held in Boise, Idaho at the BanBury Golf Course and will consist of 13 teams from all over the country, including rivals Gonzaga and Portland State.