The Grinnell Women’s Golf Team is on the rise. Already this year they broke the school’s record for team score. “I think this year is the strongest the women’s golf team has ever been,” said team captain Ashlen Matzdorf ’11. “Our freshman Stephanie Spahr is a solid player and the rest of our returning players have also improved. It’s going to continue to be an exciting season.”
And the season has proved to be nothing if not exciting. A mere day after breaking the school record, the team tied their newly set record. The women’s golf coach, David Arseneault, expressed his enthusiasm about the team. “This is without question the best team I have fielded in my 11 years as Women’s Golf Coach,” Arseneault said. “They are not only the most talented, but also the hardest working.”
Elaine Teo ’12, entering her third year on the team, agrees with Arseneault. “I honestly think this is one of the best golf teams that I’ve been in,” she said.
Teo performed her best round yet at their latest tournament. “It was my first time breaking 90 in my life, so I was pretty excited,” she said.
The team members work hard for their victories and dedicate a good portion of their time to practice. “We play about six times a week,” said Teo. There are only six players on the women’s golf team, but it works out neatly when they participate in tournaments.
“When we compete, we play and you have six people play rounds and four scores count and they add them together for the best team total” said Mallory Messin ’13.
But this season is not just about breaking records. The team gels well both on and off the course. “They all really get along with each other and are fun to be around,” Arseneault said.
Stephanie Spahr ’14, already feels a strong bond with the team. “So far it has been so much fun. They’re becoming some of my best friends,” Spahr said.
The team has high aspirations for their season. “We are all having fun and winning Conference this year is a very attainable goal if we keep posting scores like we have been,” Matzdorf said.
Coach Arseneault and all six team members are confident that they will continue to play with record book revisions in mind. “Everyone was proud of the fact that we were able to shoot a pair of school records last weekend,” he said. “But, truthfully, [we] all feel like the best is yet to come.”