Husker Golfers Show Major Improvements in Fall

By Jeff Griesch
The Nebraska women’s golf team enjoyed one of the best seasons in school history in 2003, finishing 22nd at the NCAA Championships behind the play of senior Sarah Sasse, who was named the Big 12 Golfer of the Year. Sasse also became the school’s first-ever first-team All-American in women’s golf.

With Sasse gone, opponents may have expected a drop-off, but Coach Robin Krapfl and her team have other ideas.

"This team is a determined bunch. They are not satisfied with what they have done in the past. They always want to do better," Krapfl said. "They refuse to be satisfied with the expectations of other people."

The Huskers have proven that they plan to set their sights higher than last year, despite the loss of Sasse.

Through its first five fall tournaments, Nebraska established itself as one of the best young teams in the nation. The Huskers finished among the top three in four tournaments, while capturing back-to-back titles at the Chip-N Club Invitational (Sept. 15-16) and the Ron Moore Highlands Ranch Intercollegiate (Sept. 29-30).

Last season, the Huskers managed just two top-three tournament finishes and did not win a tournament title, while producing a team stroke average of 310.18 over 39 rounds. This fall, NU has shaved nearly five strokes off last year’s average with a fall stroke average of 305.71 over 14 rounds.

"The credit has to go to the players and their work ethic and determination to get better," Krapfl said. "They understand the time and effort you have to put in to improve, and they have proven that they are willing to make the commitment."

Sophomore Jackie Beste has made the biggest jump for the Huskers since last season, knocking nearly five strokes off her 2002-03 average (82.39). Beste ranks fourth on the team with a 77.71 stroke average this fall and owns three top-15 finishes.

Although Beste has made the biggest strides, senior captain Stephanie Schaefer has been Nebraska’s leader throughout the fall. She has cut nearly four strokes off her 2002-03 season average (80.28) by producing a 76.58 stroke average this fall. Schaefer placed in the top 20 in five fall tournaments, including a third-place showing at the Chip-N Club Invitational. Schaefer also owns NU’s lowest round of the fall with her three-under-par 69 in the second round of the Chip-N Club.

"Stephanie has set the tone for our improvement as a group," Krapfl said. "She is the hardest worker I have ever coached, and her work ethic has become contagious."

While Schaefer has set the tone, junior Merynn Ito owns NU’s best stroke average with her 75.79 average. Ito has notched four top-20 finishes and trimmed nearly two strokes off her 2002-03 stroke average (77.64). Another junior, Stephanie Ruiz, has made similar gains. Ruiz posted a 79.28 stroke average last season and was NU’s No. 2 finisher at the NCAA Championships. This season, she has sliced nearly two strokes off her average (77.57).

"I’m excited about what the spring season could hold for this team," Krapfl said. "If they keep working and keep improving, they are going to realize their goal of becoming a great team."