A perennial national powerhouse, Head Coach Michelle Morgan's women's golf team suffered a major setback last year as three athletes graduated and co-captain Sarah Harper '07 studied abroad during the spring semester. The 2005-06 season was comparatively unsuccessful to years past due to graduation and the Jeff's inability to field a full four-person team. However, this year is the beginning of an exciting era of women's golf at the College, one that will hopefully surpass the accolades of past teams'. Under the tutelage of Morgan and the leadership of a strong core of returnees, this year's team will have the opportunity to re-establish its national golfing prominence.

The team's aspirations for success depend largely on the production and leadership of captain Harper. The Minnesota native is no stranger to the challenge, as she held the position of captain as a junior and has been one of the most consistent scorers for the Jeffs in recent history. In July of 2005, Harper was named an All-American scholar by the National Golf Coaches of America in recognition of her academic achievements as well as her golf accomplishments.

Harper will be joined by juniors Kristin Beneski and Ali Berman. However, Berman will not compete during the fall slate as she will study abroad in Japan. Berman is one of the most important leaders and players on the team and will be sorely missed this fall. Nevertheless, Beneski and Harper are both enthusiastic about this season.

"I think this fall is going to be a very successful one," said Harper. "I'm so excited to be back at Amherst, working with Coach Morgan and leading this team of fresh faces."

The team will welcome three new recruits for the upcoming season, which will alleviate the loss of Berman. The newcomers arrive at Amherst with plenty of tournament experience and will bring a competitive attitude to the team that the Jeffs have not had since their third-place showing in the 2002 NCAA Championship. They will be given the opportunity to compete immediately, and will certainly benefit from the guidance of their coach and the leadership of Harper and Beneski.

"I'm confident that their talent will not only carry us through the season, but that they will be the catalyst for the maturation of the women's team into a strong women's golf program for years to come," said Harper, whose confidence in this year's group of first-years illustrates her long-standing commitment to her team that will carry on throughout the season.

The team has been given an off-season training program by Coach Morgan that Harper is confident will pay dividends. But in addition to what the team has been doing physically to come back prepared for the season, this year's captain has made a concerted effort to welcome the first-years to the golf program and Amherst. Through constant off-season communication, this year's team will benefit from unity and positive leadership, which is exemplified throughout the entire team.

As Beneski points out, last season provided an opportune time to work on individual games. However, this year, with a veteran core returning and promising first-years chomping at the bit, the Jeffs will use last year as a building block for this year's success.

NESCAC Notes

Middlebury College took home the women's NESCAC title last season, with all five scoring players finishing in the top-10.