Feb. 20, 2007
Reasons for Optimism
Coach Sylvia Ferdon enters her 13th season as head coach of the Baylor women's golf team with three seniors, two juniors, a sophomore and four freshmen. The 2007 season opens with the introduction of the team theme, Seize the Day. And the Bears will have to do just that to be successful in such a competitively built schedule.
"This combination should have a good mix of senior leadership and experience with a good dash of enthusiasm and excitement from the younger players! We will have a lot of competition for the No. 4 and No. 5 spots in our line-up and the players have to know that just being on the team should not be their main focus. We need to tee it up with intensity and a sense of urgency that we are ready to play when that first tee shot gets launched," explained Ferdon.
Great Senior Leadership
Allison Martin transferred from Georgia and is now in her second year with the Bears. Entering the spring, Martin has regained the game and confidence she had as a top junior player. The senior, who finished the fall ranked No. 77 naitonally with a 73.86 average, tallied her best round at the University of Denver tournament, a 67.
"When Allie called last summer and told me she had shot 70 to qualify for the U.S. Amateur, I knew she turned the corner and her game was back. I know going to Pumpkin Ridge (Oregon) was special for her. She had played there at the USGA Juniors," said Ferdon. "I am anxious to coach Allie. I believe overcoming some adversity has made her tougher and she has the character and game you want from a senior leading your team."
At Denver, Martin shot 216, her personal best in a three-day tournament, and the fourth-best in Bear history. Martin finished the fall ranked fifth in the Big 12 and is anxious for the spring season.
Anna Rehnholm has been one of the most consistent players the Bears have had in recent years. As a freshman, Rehnholm was on the Bears team that qualified for nationals and she can help the Bears go back again in May. This past summer Rehnholm posted a 73.9 scoring average on the Swedish Telia Tour and brought that game with her into the fall season by shooting a personal low round of 70 at New Mexico State. The senior finished the fall with a 75.86 average, good for 15th among Big 12 players. Additionally, Rehnholm continues to be an academically successful Bear, earning back-to-back NGCA Academic All-American honors.
"Anna is a workhorse, a steady, grind-it-out player in all weather and all competition. She never quits and she is a great team player," said Ferdon.
Sherry Summers is a senior for the Bears and she has plenty of tournament experience. Summer's lack of length off the tee is compensated with accuracy and a great short game. After the fall season, the senior was ranked third in the nation in driving accuracy, hitting 92 percent of her fairways.
"Sherry has never had anything handed to her. As the fifth player, she has been difficult to bump out of our line-up. Her consistency and experience make her tough to beat out," said Ferdon.
Juniors will be Key Players
Sian Reddick had a bad back in the spring and then broke a toe in the fall and missed four tournaments. Reddick did travel to Auburn in November. Though she did not play well, she played without pain, and during her qualifying rounds in Waco, she shot some good scores.
"She is one of the most talented players I have coached and we cannot achieve what we want without her. I know she and I are both ready for her to be back in the line-up this spring. It's been a long time without her. Sian is accurate and creative. She can hit it straight, knows which club to use and knows where to hit it for the wind, weather and pin placements. She is a former top 100 performer and can make a big impact for the Bears," noted Ferdon.
Stephanie Waters, a junior from Austin, has developed her game and played in three fall tournaments. Waters shot a personal-best 236 for 54 holes at the New Mexico State Tournament. Waters played in several tournaments as a freshman but could not crack a junior and senior line-up as a sophomore.
"Stephanie's game has matured and I feel she is ready to make a contribution," said Ferdon.
Best Freshman Ever
Hannah Burke is the best freshman the Bears have had, based on her fall performance. Burke shot 69 at Colorado State and Michigan and held the 36-hole lead at Michigan, where the Bears plan to play again at the NCAA Regionals. Burke's 75 scoring average is a Baylor freshman-best and would have been even better with more experience.
"By seeing her post great scores on tough courses and in tough weather, she proved why she is a top recruit. We call her `Baby Bear' but her game is big. She leads our team in par 4 scoring (4.15 per hole), pars per round (10.93), and greens in regulation (72 percent). And I love her enthusiasm. When she walks in the door for practice, she creates positive energy and she brings it to the team. She wants them to know that it is `Bear Time!'," explains Ferdon.
The Door is Open
Natalie Hocott is a redshirt freshman from San Antonio and a former Texas 5-A state champion. Hocott didn't have the great fall she wanted but she had her moments. Her leading highlight was a 70 at Colorado State and a top 20 finish. Her 78.9 scoring average was fourth-best for the Bears in the fall, and Coach Ferdon believes Hocott has the ability to do better.
"Natalie has the bloodlines. Both parents are golf professionals in San Antonio and her mom played the LPGA tour. Natalie has a solid swing and a good game. Once she learns to trust her decisions, she will become a competitive force for the Bears," said Ferdon.
Kristen Hendrix is a freshman determined to play this valuable spring for the Bears. She gained experience playing in two fall tournaments with her best performance at the New Mexico State Tournament where Hendrix shot 237 for three rounds.
"Kristen has the swing, enthusiasm, and athleticism to make an impact. I love her work ethic. Kristen's father played college golf for Rice, and she has had great teaching growing up in Houston. I think she will improve this spring and help make the Bears very competitive," explains Ferdon.
Meg McDaniel is a junior who is gaining experience and playing better qualifying rounds because of it.
"I wouldn't be surprised to see Meg qualify for tournaments this spring. In the fall qualifiers she had some low rounds and just missed out being on the team," said Ferdon.
Deanna Miles is a freshman walk-on for the Bears. Miles is already an academic star, and with a year's practice and a sound summer of golf, she could be a great surprise for the Bears by next season.
Strong at the Top
"Martin, Burke and Rehnholm have combined to make the strongest front three players that I have coached," said Ferdon. "They are all very athletic and can play in all sorts of different conditions. Usually the spring wind, cold and rain can play huge factors in your performance. These three have shown they can handle those variables and still put up competitive scores."
Capping Competitive Schedule Hosting Big 12 Championship
The Bears open their spring season at the Central District as the defending champions. And throughout the spring, every tournament will have an impact on regional selections, as each event is packed with central division teams. And the Bears look forward to hosting the Big 12 Championship at Ridgewood Country Club to end regular season play.
"Ridgewood can look easy, but it can get set up with some tough pin placements. I look for the Bears to play it well with the home course advantage and home town support," concluded Ferdon.
