The men’s and women’s golf teams are preparing for their spring seasons to start Feb. 12 and Feb. 19 respectively, and players have been improving their skills over the winter break.
Jake Fendt tied for third in last week’s Jones Cup Invitational at Sea Island, Georgia, coming up just one stroke short of two players who tied and later played in a playoff.
Leading the tournament after the first two rounds, Fendt remained solid in the final round on Sunday but was ultimately beat out by LSU’s Grant Barber and Vanderbilt’s Theo Humphrey.
Fendt, a junior from Suwanee, finished with a final card of 70-73-70 for a 3-under total of 213, and he looks to continue this form as the Owls start their season in Mobile, Alabama, on Feb. 12.
“Overall, this week was very positive, I struck the ball and read the greens extremely well,” Fendt said. “Even though I did not win, and I really wanted to, I have a lot to take away from this tournament in terms of self-belief and momentum going into the spring.”
The men hope the momentum from a strong fall season will translate to the spring as the Owls have achieved a ranking of 46th among college teams out of a field of nearly 300 schools.
The 2016-17 season saw the Owls have two regular-season victories and qualify for the NCAA championship after placing second in the regional tournament. They will also be seeking to defend their Atlantic Sun Conference title.
For the women’s side, Roanne Tomlinson finished second at the Orlando International Amateur Golf Championship on Dec. 30, finishing with an even-par total of 216.
She began the tournament with a first round of 4-under at 68, including six birdies. With the second-best scoring average on the team during the fall season, Tomlinson will be an important factor for a rising women’s side that will begin its season in Melbourne, Florida, on Feb. 19.
“This is another great result for Roanne,” head coach Rhyll Brinsmead said. “The Orlando International Amateur Golf Championship is a prestigious event, and for her to take runner-up over a loaded field is a testament to her hard work this offseason.”
Improvements from last year were on full display in the fall season as the Owls finished in the top four in all four tournaments, including one tie for first.
Along with Tomlinson, two players that will facilitate spring success will be Madison Caldwell and Henriette Nielsen, both of whom won ASUN Women’s Golfer of the Week in the fall.