The ETSU women’s golf team travelled to Kennesaw, Georgia, to compete in the Henssler Financial Intercollegiate on March 28-29.

So far this season, the Bucs have done well. In their most recent event, the 3M Augusta Invitational, the team finished fourth out of 16.

Coach Stefanie Shelton said the team got a good taste of playing well at the beginning of the season and knew what would be expected of them in the coming events, including the Henssler Financial Intercollegiate.

“I expect us to be excited to play, and I’m expecting good things to happen,” Shelton said.

An exciting addition to the team this year has been freshman Hee Ying Loy (Baru, Kulaijaya, Malaysia), who Shelton recognizes as one of the calmest on the team who just enjoys the game.

“Loy is one of the best ball strikers I have ever seen,” Shelton said. “One of the best we’ve ever had in the program.”

Loy recently earned SoCon Golfer of the Week because of her performance in the 3M Augusta Invitational. She shot 4-under 212 and looked to do just as well in the Kennesaw meet.

After day one in Kennesaw, the Bucs were in 10th place overall, just a few strokes shy of being in the top eight. All five individual golfers ranked in the top 50. Dominika Czudkova (Cesky Tesin, Czech Republic) was the highest placer at 31st with an 11-over 155. Loy and Rachel Pollock (Guelph, Ontario, Canada) were tied together at 41st.

Looking forward to the SoCon Championship, rival Mercer University was also at the Intercollegiate, and after day one, the Bucs lead them by one stroke.

On the final day of the Intercollegiate, Czudkova and Pollock placed in the top 50, tying at 45th with a score of 237. Linda Dobele (Ogre, Lativa) also made marks on the tournament by finishing her final round 6-over 78. Loy was the highest ranked ETSU player at the tournament, finishing tied at 23rd and jumping 18 positions, the most individually of the tournament, to secure that spot.

At the end of the meet, the Bucs ended up 11th overall with a score of 937, with Mercer topping them and other SoCon rival Chattanooga finishing in the top five with a score of 910.

“Here, golf is not an individual sport anymore,” Loy said. “We play as a team.”

The Bucs have one more meet in Oxford, Mississippi, at the 2016 Rebel Intercollegiate April 1-3 before competing in the SoCon Championships that are set to begin April 10.

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  • Kathryn Norungolo

    Kathryn Norungolo is a freshman pursuing a journalism major and a double minor in Spanish and merchandising. Norungolo hopes to find a career in the media world after graduation. Specifically, she would like to work for a magazine or some other publication that allows her to travel and make use of her studies in merchandising. In choosing a career path, she was inspired by her love of writing, fashion, and a trip to Spain.

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