The Women’s Golf team started off their season as well as any team could. At the CA State Intercollegiate, the team not only won the team title, but also won the individual title for the third time in PLNU Women’s golf history. They beat second place George Fox by 24 strokes, and junior Alli Kim individually won with -8 under par and a total of 136.
“The first week of this year, everything sort of came together and it actually played out the way it was drawn up,” said coach Lance Hancock. “It’s extremely exciting and promising at the same time, just to see all the work on paper sort of come to life and actually work.”
While the bar was set high during the first tournament, the results of the second tournament were not as great due to a last-minute injury from Kim, who was unable to compete. As a team, they finished in 16th place at the WNMU Fall Intercollegiate with a 49 over 625, and sophomore Michaela Cain led the way individually finishing tied for 43rd.
“I got hurt, so it’s more motivation to do well in the upcoming [tournament] we have next week in Sonoma,” said Kim. “The finish at the second tournament wasn’t as great as the first, so we know we have the capability of playing that well, it’s just getting ready to do that.”
The differences in play showed, but the team knows what to expect of themselves by playing at such a high level the first time around. “I think we’re getting momentum because we have an expectation, a good expectation of what we actually can be, from that first tournament,” said sophomore Christine Perez.
With such a small team, building team chemistry is crucial in becoming successful on the golf course. “The culture here, the unity that the girls have, and the trust they have in each other right now is as high as I’ve ever seen it in the golf program,” said Hancock. “They’re feeding off of each other, frankly. I think people are getting fed from Christine’s success, and I think Christine is getting successful because of her relationships others [on the team].”
With such early success, the team has a lot to look forward to the rest of the season. “I want to win a conference,” said Hancock. “I think this team honestly is ready to do that, it’s just a matter of getting in the right events and getting them prepared.”
The team’s next match is the Sonoma State Fall Invite in Rohnert Park, California on Oct. 22.
Cade Michaelson 
Luke Mallery