Women's Golf | September 15, 2019
KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Western Michigan women's golf team heads to Yorktown, Ind., to open the 2019-20 season at the Cardinal Classic hosted by Ball State University at The Players Club golf course on Monday.
THE TOURNAMENT
The Cardinal Classic is a staple on WMU's schedule, opening the season at the tournament every year under head coach Elise Swartout-Mosher. The Broncos finished in seventh place the past two season and in third in 2016.
Western Michigan is one of 10 teams competing at the tournament, joining the host Cardinals, Bowling Green, Bradley, Cleveland State, Dayton, Eastern Michigan, IUPUI, Taylor and Western Illinois. The teams will play 36 holes on Monday, beginning with a shotgun start at 8:30 a.m. The tournament wraps up on Tuesday with one round, beginning at 9 a.m.
Since the tournament began in 2001, the Broncos have one it four times and five individual medalists. WMU's last team championship came back in 2010 and its last individual medalist, Chloe Lawrie, came in 2014.
ONLY THE LONELY
Jasmine Chee is the lone senior on the roster this season. Chee heads into her final year with two career wins. The Hong Kong native's career average of 76.94 through 28 tournaments is currently the third lowest in program history, sitting behind former teammate Julia Champion and Britney Hamilton.
"It's crazy to call Jasmine a senior," said Swartout-Mosher. "She was my first freshman in the program. For the two of us to be in this place is amazing, it's fascinating and overwhelming. She has learned so much over these past three years that she is ready to step in and be a leader."
IRON SHARPENS IRON
For just the second time in her four years, Swartout-Mosher has a roster of at least six golfers. WMU added freshman Alissa Fish and sophomore transfer Imogen Courtney to the roster, joining Chee, junior Cameryn Lucia and sophomores Brook Gibbons and Fiona Wang. Only five golfers are allowed to compete as a team during a tournament.
"I am taking all six to the first tournament at Ball State," explained Swartout-Mosher. "I think it's going to help me get a clear path and understanding. We've had four qualifying rounds this year already, so we really know where we are trending. I'm super excited by the golf I've seen so far. It's been really cool to watch these six come together as a team and perform individually."
ON THE HORIZON
WMU has a week off before heading over to Eastern Michigan University for the Shirley Spork Invitational on Sept. 30 and Oct. 1.
