HARTSVILLE, S.C. – The Coker University women's golf team will begin the spring portion of their 2020-21 schedule on Monday (Feb. 15), as the Cobras travel to St. Simmons Island, Georgia, to compete in the Coastal Georgia Women's Winter Invitational.

This is Coker's first tournament since its spring 2020 season was shortened. 

Head coach Sam Stark's goals are "simply to get back to competing (a literal 365 layoff between tournaments), and finish in the top half of the conference. We play in one of the tougher conferences in the nation, in the toughest region in the nation, so you have to bring your best every week to stay competitive," said Stark. 

Teeing off for the Cobras

Stark will look to returners and captains, Jordan White and Katie Smith to help guide the young Cobras this season. 

"They've taken big strides in their games, and are getting comfortable being our top players.," said Stark. "Katie's dropped almost six shots off her scoring average between our Fall qualifying and her results from 2019-20, and Jordan has shown she can shoot in the mid-70's, consistently. They've shown strong leadership despite quite a bit of adversity, through not having a Fall, and with all that COVID's brought."

"Our team dynamic has been great; the ladies have grown together throughout the Fall, even though we didn't have an opportunity to play a tournament," said Stark. "The returners have mentored the new players in a very positive fashion."

Coker's group of newcomers has Stark excited for the future. 

"Maggie Jennings-Campbell comes to us from Canada with some strong amateur golf experience, and her eagerness to learn and improve every day has been impressive," said Stark. "Mackenzie Mulkiewicz brings nice experience from her time at Davis & Elkins, it's always helpful to have someone who has some tournaments under her belt come in and give us a boost. Lauren Shaw helped her high school team at Pierce County win a state title, so she brings a winning mentality, and is ready to have a successful freshman season."

Though the Coker women may be young they have lots of potential.

"The biggest strength of our team is simply the will to get back out there and compete," said Stark. "We have some tough golfers, who play some very gritty rounds, and are the epitome of grinders. I'm excited to see how that translates to our tournament schedule."

Play begins at 8:00 a.m. tomorrow, with 18 holes each on Monday and Tuesday.