At the start of the season, coaches and players alike acknowledged that they had a tough road ahead of them, having graduated three seniors who provided not only consistently low scores but leadership to boot. With no new recruits to fill their shoes, the team looked to its seniors, captain Melissa Sidman and Cally Wheeler, as well as junior Harper for guidance. The women had also suffered in recent years from a lack of consistent coaching-a difference coach has been at the helm each of the last three years. This year, however, the players were pleased to welcome back Head Coach Michelle Morgan, the veteran women's golf coach, now in her 15th year of coaching. Under new leadership, the Jeffs looked to reclaim some of the glory their predecessors had enjoyed, specifically the 2002 roster, which earned a third-place finish at the NCAA Championship.
The season got off to an inauspicious start at the Dartmouth Invitational, where the Jeffs finished in last place. The season opener was helpful, however, to both Morgan and the players, in showing them their strengths and weaknesses on the course. Morgan acknowledged that the women needed to improve their short game, adding that she hoped more practice time would cement some of the skills she saw on the course that weekend.
One of the most promising things Morgan saw on the course that weekend was the talent of Harper, who led the team with a two-day score of 81-85-166, logging a 41st-place finish, and making her Amherst's only top 50 finisher. This talent and consistency would prove to be the norm for Harper, making her the team's low scorer as well as the recognized leader for her teammates. Harper set her goals for the season very high, or, in this case, low–she hoped to break into the 70s before the season ended. She almost accomplished this task, narrowly missing with her 80 last weekend. Most importantly, Harper, who is quicker to sing her teammates' praises than her own, contributed strong performances throughout the season, consistently delivering scores in the 80s and never shooting above an 88.
Another season highlight was Sidman's performance at the NESCAC Championship at Middlebury College Oct. 1-2, where she shot a 95-90-185. The 90 on day two marked the Bethesda, Md.-native's career-best round. Sidman's improvement will be key in the spring as Harper will miss the season studying abroad.
Ali Berman '08 was another key contributor. Despite a few frustrating rounds, she was able to break into the low 90s and high 80s on several occasions to boost her team's record. Her performances were complemented by those of fellow sophomore Kristin Beneski, who was always only a few strokes behind her.
Despite the new leadership and a minimal roster, the Jeffs logged great improvements over the course of the season. "[We] are on the verge of score improvements," Morgan said. "Because of [our] mental management and course management, which has a strong carry over effect on their scoring performance." Despite strides in the right direction, the Jeffs were unable to post an impressive record. This was due partially to a short-handed roster that was crippled by inconsistent attendance due to academic conflicts. Notably, they could not compete in the NESCAC Championship because two players were absent. The team was also hurt by Beneski's absence on day one of the Dartmouth Invitational.
Still, the women are considerably better than they were coming into this rebuilding season. They will seek to build over the winter as they look forward to the spring season.