The men's and women's golf team saw their seasons close this weekend as both competed in tournament play.
The women traveled to James Madison University in Virginia to play in the JMU Invitational as well as the Eastern College Athletic Conference Championships Oct. 22-24, while the men vied for the New England Championships Oct. 25-26.
In the final standing Dartmouth placed eighth overall, with Sara Vogler '96 coming in first for the Big Green with an eleventh place finish. Captain Kelly Just '94 tied for 15th place with Heidi Corderman '96, Jami Papa '96 and Charlotte Hanley '95 rounding out the rest of the team.
"Obviously we would have liked to have finished higher," Coach Izzy Johnson said, "but everyone had their personal bests and we're very pleased with that. I'm seeing definite improvement in the team."
Vogler commented that her success was "the culmination of the entire season" and remarked that she "took a specific mental attitude and took it one shot at a time."
"The ECACs gave up a good chance to see how we stack up against other teams," Papa said. "We got better each day and we ended really well."
Johnson said that James Madison's course was "a beautiful course in great shape. It was very hilly with no flat areas, which made for undulating and fast greens."
As the team looks forward to the spring season, Johnson is confident and points out that "we definitely need to focus and sharpen our short game, but the entire season has been a learning experience and more competition will certainly help our team."
"The team looks forward to a productive spring trip and I am certain that we will continue to improve this Spring," Just said. "With fresh talent, from rookies such as Heidi and freshman Jessica Hughes, and the continued improvement of the more seasoned but also young players, I'm confident that in the next year or two, the Dartmouth women's golf team should be back at the top."
The men's team ran into some tough weather in New Seabury, Mass., and the end result was a disappointing performance and a 15th place finish.
"It was a disappointment," Captain Dominic Engels '94 said. "We have a lot of talent that really hasn't come together. We're on the brink and Coach [Bill] Johnson feels that we have the best team in years."
Engels noted that he is the only senior on the squad and that "we just haven't come to fruition."
The tournament, held right alongside the ocean, was "a great place and the biggest tournament for us with 48 teams competing," Engels said. "Anyone who's anyone in New England was there."
The proximity to the ocean produced windy conditions which "were tough," Bryan Kim '95. "Scores were generally high and we should have played better. Our goal was to finish in the top ten and we didn't do that, but things can only get better. I wish we could have ended things on a better note, but I'm sure that the team's going to turn things around."
Engels mentioned that the team plans to travel to Scotland in the spring and aims to "get back to the basics and put some scores up on the board. The raw talent is definitely there."
"In going to Scotland," Johnson said, "the total emphasis is and will be on playing and making shots. Our team is mechanically sound, they just have to play."
Johnson also stressed that he plans to improve the team's short game and shot-making rather than mechanical changes.
"We will surprise a lot of people in the Spring, including our players," he said.
