Lady Rams on par for season success

The second season women’s golf team had a major break through for the first time in Suffolk University women’s sport history. In the teams first-ever home match, the blue-and-gold were able to comeout on top and grab the programs first win. As the roster continues to grow, these Lady Rams look to continue driving the program forward.

Joe Rice

September 20, 2017

With a complete roster of six girls, five being underclassmen, Suffolk University Women’s golf team started out their fall season strong, with many accomplishments already in the books. The Lady Rams have succeeded in many program “firsts” so far in their 2017 season.

Recently, the Lady Rams won their first competition of the fall season and also collected the first win for the program with a 371-354 victory over Rhode Island College (RIC) at the Brookmeadow Country Club in Canton, Mass.

The women’s golf team competed in its first two-day competition at the William Smith Invitational hosted by William & Smith at Clifton Springs Country Club on Saturday, where the Lady Rams managed to place seventh overall out of 11 teams.

Although the Lady Rams have accomplished many wins for the team this season, it was not easy.

“The moment we found out that we won, it was a great feeling and one that will drive us toward success for the rest of the season,” said junior, sports marketing major, Mackenzie McGrath in a recent interview with The Suffolk Journal. “To achieve the first win of a program is a great feat and I’m definitely looking forward to the rest of the season.”

Aine Dillon, a sophomore legal studies major and long-time golfer, explained to The Journal that the path to their first victory required a lot of time and patience as a result of not having enough golfers to compete for triumph.

“Last year, we only had one other girl and myself, so it was physically impossible to win given the sheer number of people,” said Dillon.

The team started off small, however after a year of gathering personnel, the team has gained enough Lady Rams to compete for a chance to win tournaments.

Dillon also explained to The Journal that the competition Suffolk sees is certainly different from what she saw as a competitor in high school.

“In college golf, [everyone] is very passionate about it,” said Dillon. “Some people are trying to go professional even in Division III.”

With the competition as tough as it is, and taking into account the journey the team took to get to where they are today, Dillon said the feeling of being victorious in their first match was “amazing.”

“It was really special for us, being able to compete [as a team] for the first time and win,” said Dillon. “All of our girls played really well that day.”

First-year Head Coach Jay Parker agreed with what Dillon said, adding that the recent win was, “very gratifying considering all the hard work we put in.”

Parker stepped into an unknown role; originally coaching the Suffolk Baseball team as an assistant for the past twenty years. When asked about the transition from baseball to women’s golf, Parker explained that it was very different given the difference in personalities that the two teams have.

In regards to if baseball or golf would be more difficult to coach, Parker discussed how he had coached many different sports throughout his career including softball and lacrosse in addition to baseball and golf. Parker said that he as a coach must “put in time with research” in order to be the best he can possibly be as an instructor.

McGrath later went on to discuss just how this first victory of the season could help this team throughout the rest of the season.

“When we beat RIC for our first win of the season, it felt awesome. For any sport, to start off a season with a victory, it already puts your team on a good track for the rest of the season,” said McGrath. “To start on a high note like this definitely has given us all more confidence individually and as a whole that we will take into this weekend when we play in New York.”

McGrath also explained that the players are shooting high in regards to the team’s expectations.

“Looking at how we performed last Sunday, I think we have a good outlook for the rest of the season,” said McGrath. “Our end goal is to win the championship, and I do think it’s possible for us to get it. There’s always things we can work on to better ourselves individually, so I think if we can keep working hard and continue to put the work in, then that is an obtainable goal.”

The women’s golf team looks to compete and continue their winning ways on Saturday at the Mt. Holyoke Invitational at the Orchards Golf Club in South Hadley, Mass.