JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – Carson-Newman women's golf team will hit the links at the renowned Cougar Point Country Club at Kiawah Island in South Carolina to begin its spring season Saturday morning.
The country club, and more specifically the Ocean Course, has played host to the PGA Championship.
Carson-Newman head women's golf coach Suzanne Strudwick hopes the course and competition sets C-N out on the right step.
"The girls have had a little challenge this week just because of the weather up here," C-N head women's golf coach Suzanne Strudwick said. "We were able to get some good practice in at Hilton Head last weekend. So really it's about them being ready mentally and prepared to know they can still play well."
The fall was often a tale of two rounds for Carson-Newman, best exemplified by the Eagles' performance in their home tournament at the Smokey Mountain Intercollegiate. Case in point, the Eagles shot a 321 to open, but followed it up with the second lowest round in school history, a 299.
"The girls got angry at times with some of their scores in the fall," Strudwick said. "I want them to be frustrated, but not in a way where they eat themselves up and get negative, but where they use it to get better."
Meridith Hawkins led the Eagles with a 79.0 stroke average in the fall. Strudwick points to two other players who could make an impact.
"Danielle Baiunco and Lauren Hodge have made great strides," Strudwick said. "Lauren posted a career best round of 70 in our practice sessions at Hilton Head. Danielle is really striking the ball well. But I can't wait to see all of them in action in an actual tournament."
The Eagles tee off Saturday morning.
-CN-
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