By Spencer Jacobson, Staff Writer
The women’s golf team finished its fall season this week with a 10th place finish at the Arkansas Tech University fall invitational.
The Lady Jets shot a combined 96 over par with Kate Robertson, the team’s best scorer, shooting 10 over par and tying for third.
Taryn Torgerson, the head women’s golf coach, said the first round of the tournament did not go very well but that she saw improvements in the second round.
“All five girls improved their score from round one to round two, which is always a positive,” she said.
Torgerson, who is in her first season as the head women’s golf coach, said the team had a good season, especially considering the change in coaching it faced.
“I was overall pleased with how it went. Having a new coach is hard for players to adjust to, but they all came into the year with great attitudes and have bought into my system and have shown great improvements over the course of the fall season,” she said.
Because this was her first season coaching, Torgerson said, she did not really know what to expect and going into the season, her expectations for the team were for the players to work hard and be coachable.
“As a result of those things, they saw positive outcomes with their game and scores. We had our best fall season round at the second round of the MIAA preview in Nebraska, shooting a 306 with scores of 70, 72, 74, and 90. I was very proud of that round and the girls were excited to post that impressive round as well,” she said.
Torgerson said that each player brings something that is a positive for the team, but that she has seen the biggest improvements in the team’s overall thinking and strategy while competing.
“We spend a lot of time in practice rounds and in pre-tournament meetings discussing how to smartly play each hole in terms of where we want to hit our tee shots to give us the best angle to the green, where on the green to put our approaches so we have the best opportunities at making putts, and more. They have bought into what I have been trying to teach in terms of mental game and preparation,” she said.
Now that the team’s fall season has come to a close and offseason hours have begun, Torgerson said the team will be working on its short game.
“Looking at stats and just talking with them, short game is where we leave shots out there. We need to develop and add more shots to each person's game so when a tournament situation comes up, we are prepared for it,” she said.
In addition to working on its short game, Torgerson said, the Lady Jets will continue to practice, prepare, and will begin setting goals for its spring season next year.
“This is a great group of ladies and I am looking forward to continuing to work with them,” Torgerson said.
PHOTO: Courtesy Photo. Newman Athletics.
