HARTSVILLE, S.C.- The Coker University women's golf team tees off their spring season Monday (Feb. 7). The women have been working hard all fall and preseason to help prepare them for success this season as they travel to St. Augustine, Florida to compete in the World Golf Invitational hosted at the Slammer & Squire.
Head coach John Hackney, in his first season as the head coach of the women's golf team, believes the ladies can have one of the best teams in school history.
The team has been focusing a lot on their short game this preseason.
"We have been working on dialing in our wedge play, including chipping, as well as working in the bunkers and spending a lot of time with putting drills," said Hackney.
He says that once the ladies can dial in those touch shots, they can be very competitive this season.
The Cobras return a solid group of upperclassmen this season.
"We have six returnees. Jordan White is in her fourth season. She is tremendously talented and has been a leader for this team and university for years, so we are expecting great things from her. Mackenzie Mulkiewicz is also a senior. She provides great energy for this team and will hopefully crack the lineup this spring," said Hackney.
The Cobras return four more key players this season.
"Three-year starter Katie Smith is really starting to play some good golf, so I think she will be key to our success as we gear up for peaking at the South Atlantic Conference Championships, which we will host at Hartsville Country Club," said Hackney. "Sophomore Maggie Jennings has shown some good form of late, so we are counting on her to start firing low numbers as well. Sophomore Lauren Shaw has had limited practice time because of class conflicts, but has the talent to contribute."
Hackney stressed how important team chemistry is in all sports but especially golf and said the underclassmen and the upperclassmen have meshed well together.
"I am really starting to see these ladies support each other, on and off the course. Continuing to do that will be critical to our success," said Hackney.
Coker brought in three freshmen and one transfer who will all play a role in the Cobras success this season.
"We have a nice freshman class of three, all of whom have been in the lineup thus far. Lora Ledbetter has shown great talent and promise as a regular starter and has the ability to fire low numbers," said Hackney. "Haylie George has put in a lot of work, as has Kelly Campman, so both should have an impact on our success." Hackney also mentioned Junior transfer Jenna Werle will play an important role in Coker's success.
Coker starts off their season in one of the toughest stretches of their schedule.