The golf team teed off and began their spring season on Saturday, March 17, at the Eagle Invitational. This two-day tournament was held at the University of Mary Washington in Stafford, Va. The roster includes two women and six men, all eager to see what is in store for them this season. Since EMU does not physically have a golf course on campus, the team is faced with the challenge of practicing on an off-campus site. This means that the team must travel to Heritage Oaks golf course, five minutes from EMU. These practices often vary from playing a nine-hole game to going to the driving range or putting green.

Sophomore Olyvia Longacre had an amazing start to her season in a record-setting way. With a promising season ahead, she finished second out of 29 women at the Eagle Invitational. Scoring the second lowest score in the history of the EMU women’s golf team, she shot a 78 on Saturday. Coming into this season, Longacre said, “I hope to keep improving.”

After 13 years of playing the sport, Longacre knows her strengths and weaknesses. She said, “My strengths are definitely my long drives and overall distances. I know I need to improve my consistency and will continue to practice.”

After playing a little rough in the fall season, first-year Benjamin Shenk took some time to settle in and feels more confident coming into the spring season. After shooting an 86 and 88, he said, “I think I am playing better and want to keep improving.” Coming into the spring season, Shenk hopes to feel more comfortable by mid-season and keep improving with his short irons.

First-year Amy Troyer, who started playing the sport two years ago with her dad, hopes to see her game improve over the course of the season. When comparing the transition from high school to college, she said, “The college level is way more advanced.” Adjusting to the team has been easy for Troyer, which was comforting because she sees herself continuing her career here at EMU. She also noted, “One reason I play this sport is because it serves as a stress reliever for me.”

Neither team was scheduled for any matches this past week, but the women are preparing for their next tournament at the Smith Invitational down in Glen Allen, Va. on March 25. The men’s team will compete next at the Lynchburg College Invitational on April 2 and 3.