Women's golf wraps up fall season

The women’s golf team concluded its fall season on Oct. 17 at the Midwest Classic in Warrensburg, Missouri, tying with Missouri Western State University for third place. 

In round one on Oct. 16, the team attained second place with 295 strokes. Graduate student Molly Stevens took the No. 1 spot in round one by shooting four under par to total 66 strokes. 

“The team did exceptional this fall. [We] maybe ended on a disappointing note — we just didn’t play well our last day, but we can’t lose sight of all our success,” head coach Coralee Jorgensen said. “Molly Stevens shooting a career low and a tournament record, [senior] Lauren Tims came around our last day and shot a three over par. It’s not like everyone fell apart but that again is how golf is. It’s an individual game first and foremost that turns into a team competition.”

In total, the Vikings tallied 608 strokes at the tournament, outscoring 16 teams. 

“It wasn’t what we wanted. We ended up, I think, getting third, which isn’t bad, but we wanted to do better,” junior Shannon McCormick said. “It’s definitely good motivation for next spring.” 

McCormick tied for 66th with 164 shots. Overall, Stevens led the Vikings with 143 strokes, shooting three over par and tying for second in the tournament. 

Senior Lauren Tims finished third among the Vikings, earning 88 strokes in round one and 73 in round two for a total of 161. Tims tied with freshman Mattie Weidenbach for 46th.

“For me personally, I would say I didn’t play my best in that tournament,” Tims said. “But knowing that there’s spring, I feel very motivated.” 

The Vikings came into the Midwest Classic with momentum from their win on Oct. 10 at the University of Sioux Falls Invite in Larchwood, Iowa, where they recorded 593 strokes. Sophomore Lanie Veenendall, Tims and Stevens each shot 147 and tied for third alongside three other players. 

“That’s one of our favorite tournaments,” Tims said. “It was so fun, especially because regionals was there last year. It was a very familiar course, and it was just fun to compete again and compete at a course we did so well at last spring.” 

In the 2022-2023 season, the women’s golf team finished second in the NCAA Central Regional Tournament at the Grand Falls Casino course in Iowa. 

While Augustana did not host the USF Invitational, McCormick said the course’s proximity to Sioux Falls made it similar to a “home course advantage.” McCormick tied for 14th at the tournament, as she scored 152 strokes.

“It’s really fun actually because a lot of friends can come and watch, and that’s not something that we get a lot of the time,” McCormick said. “It was super cool to have them there and then we played well.” 

Despite a fourth and third-place finish this season, the Vikings found the fall to be rather successful. 

In addition to a win at the USF Invitational, the team earned the No. 1 spot at the Mustang Invitational in Marshall, Minnesota, on Oct. 1 and the Central Region Fall Preview in Blue Springs, Missouri, on Sept. 6. 

“There are so many aspects of the game skill wise: putting, chipping, swinging, driver, but as I’ve said many times the mental game is so important and being positive on the golf course,” Jorgensen said.  

At the Mustang Invitational, the Vikings recorded several rounds under par with Veenendall shooting 68 in round one and McCormick shooting 70 in round two. 

“It’s just fun when your teammates play well and all your hard work kind of pays off,” Tims said. 

The team’s success didn’t come without challenges, though. 

“I mean, fall — you’re always getting back into it with school and with competitive golf again,” McCormick said. “Time management is probably the hardest part just because you have classes that are all brand new… We miss two days of school every single week and then we’re traveling four or five weeks out of the semester.” 

However, McCormick said she has enjoyed traveling with her teammates this fall. 

“My teammates are my best friends and like sisters to me. Whenever we do get to travel and spend time together, it’s always a blessing,” McCormick said. “Just being able to travel and to play is probably the best part.” 

According to Tims, one of the team’s goals for the spring is making it back to nationals. 

“That has always been our goal since we were there last year,” Tims said. “So I think just taking it one tournament at a time, working hard day in, day out, so that when the time comes, when we’re at conference and regionals, that we’re ready to perform.” 

During their offseason, the Vikings will practice with the simulator at the Kirby Indoor Golf Center and workout in the gym three times a week.

“Just getting stronger and getting better physically is kind of the main goal during the off season,” McCormick said.