Kicking butt and taking names: Women’s golf dominates the competition for fifth week in a row

The Augustana Viking's women's golf team came back from Grand Rapids, Mich. as a second-place team.  It was their first non-first finish of the season, and another statement toward any doubters that this team is here to stay, and their recent success is only yielding more success.

"These girls have been great," head coach Peggy Kirby said.  "We expected to play well, but to be playing at this level is a great surprise."

Part of the reason the team has found so much success is a solid top five group of players that consistently score in the upper echelon of scores.  The lowest place any individual has finished 50^th. 

"The past couple years, it's been mostly a couple people pushing the team along in the scores, but this year we have been very balanced," senior Kate Tobin said.  "The old saying is true, that when you play with better people, you yourself become better."

The team has also won four out of five tournaments they have played.

Freshman Maggie Leland burst onto the college scene the first weekend of season play, winning the Augustana Fall Invitational and setting herself up to be the latest freshman to take the conference by storm. 

"Our recruiting class has come in strong," Kirby said.  "Maggie winning the first tournament was a great boost for her confidence, and she continues to make a name for herself."

Last year, now-sophomore Emily Kvidera was in a similar position. Relatively unknown, she played her way to a seventh place finish in the national tournament last spring.

"Emily has played amazing so far this year," freshman Allie Ostrander said.  "She is always prepared to play and sets a great example for the rest of the team."

Tobin has established herself as a calm, level-headed leader and role model, using her experience to help her team succeed on and off the course.  Tobin's season average of seven-over-par is tied for third on the team.  Younger players have looked to her when nerves strike before a tournament.

"Kate knows what the younger players are going through because she has been in our shoes," Ostrander said.  "She is always helpful in calming our nerves down, and watching her go about her business with a calm demeanor helps the entire team out."

Rounding out the top five is junior Molly Leland, Maggie's older sister.

Molly struggled last season, but has seemed to regain the confidence she had her freshman year.

"She's found her swing," Tobin said.  "Things have fallen into place for her, and she is realizing the potential that we all saw in her."

Senior Kelli Lowry won the Laker Classic last weekend, and sophomore Ashley Hendricks finished second as the team was split up to allow each player to gain experience.

"It was a great opportunity for everyone to get some playing time in tournaments," Kirby said.  "Next spring that will be vital in our success."

Kirby has coached the team for eight seasons, with this being her most successful year so far.

That success has been grounded in solid play, but the Vikings have developed a style unlike any other team, taking time to enjoy their success and live in the moment.

"We have a different style," Tobin said.  "We like to roll up to tournaments with our music blaring."

Once there, they get their shoes on, get their bags, and head to the course.

"It's a very laid back atmosphere on this team," Tobin said.  "We love to have fun with each other, and enjoy the game."

That care-free style, however, has not hampered their focus.

"Coach Kirby enjoys the relaxed atmosphere," Tobin said, "but we are very focused when it's time to go to work.  She believes in us."

"It'd be great to finish strong and head into the offseason with more confidence than we already have," Kirby said.

That confidence will be essential next spring, considering the teams they compete against.

"A lot of schools down south get to play golf year round," Tobin said.  "We don't really have the option of doing that, so it's great to know that we can compete with all the top-ranked schools when we have our best game going."

Something different than years past, however, is the Kirby Golf Center, located inside Kirkeby-Over Stadium.

"That's going to be helpful for us because our girls can get in and swing the club, work on their putting, etc.," Kirby said.

The Vikings head to St. Paul next weekend, where they will compete in the first two rounds of the Northern Sun Conference tournament.