Owls hit the links as they prepare for spring season
by Mark Toma
1/21/2010 10:45:55 AM
KENNESAW, Ga. - The Kennesaw State women’s golf team got back into the swing of things this week as they enjoyed their first practice session of the spring season as they prepare for the spring opening Kinderlou Challenge on Mar. 1 in Valdosta, Ga.
“After a long off season break the team is excited be back to practice,” said head coach Rhyll Brinsmead. “The weather has been great so we have been fortunate to be able to be outside practicing this week. We have five weeks before our first event, so we will spend this time working on fundamentals and readying ourselves for a stellar spring season”
The Owls, currently ranked No. 66 in the nation, will be looking to improve on a strong fall season in which they posted three top five finishes including a third place finish at the College of Charleston’s Palmetto Intercollegiate.
"After the fall season that was by far the most successful on record, the team is very motivated to continue their strong play,” added Brinsmead. “After our first week of practice it is evident that all five players put in a lot of work over the break."
Ket Preamchuen enjoyed a stellar fall season, leading the Owls with a 74.4 stroke average en route to posting the Owls lowest round of the fall when she shot a 4-under par 66 in the second round of the Challenge at Onion Creek in Austin, Texas.
The freshman had four top 20 finishes which included two top five finishes, a fourth place showing in the fall’s first event of the year and a fifth place outing at the Palmetto Invitational on Oct. 29 in Kiawah Island, S.C., she is currently ranked 142nd in the nation.
“This past fall season was such a huge confidence boast for this squad,” Brinsmead commented. “We shattered the lowest team scoring average by 12 stroke and currently have a 303 average. This has us ranked at 66th in the nation and on track for NCAA Regionals. Our long-term goal is to peak at the A-Sun conference championship, and advance to NCAA Regionals. I am very confident this team has the talent and depth to achieve this goal."
Patricia Arana, who earned all-conference honors last season when she was named to the A-Sun All-Freshman team, had a solid fall as she finished with a 75.9 stroke average, second on the Owls. She also enjoyed an 8th place finish at the Bette Lou Evans Fall Invitational.
“We play a very good schedule this spring, starting with the Kinderlou Forest Challenge,” concluded Brinsmead. “This event will ready us for the remainder of the spring as we will come up against nine of the top 25 teams in the nation.”
The Owls, who begin the spring campaign on Mar. 1 at the Kinderlou Forest Challenge where they will co-host the event with the University of Kentucky, have four spring events before heading off to the A-Sun Women’s Golf Championships in mid-April.