Correction: A story in yesterday’s edition of the Daily (One week after win, ‘M’ hits tough times) incorrectly attributed all of Head Women’s Golf Coach Kathy Teichert’s quotes to “Assistant Coach Tucker,” who does not exist.
Most of us succeeded in doing as little as possible during the fall break. The women’s golf team didn’t have the luxury.
Six of the Wolverines hit the links at this week’s Tyson/Embassy Suites Invitational in Rogers, Ark. Senior captain Amy Schmucker made her fourth consecutive tournament appearance of the year.
Schmucker, along with seniors Brandi Zielinski and Kelly Easton, juniors Ali Stinson and Brianna Broderick and sophomore Lindsay Davis were among the field at the three-day, 54-hole event taking place at The Pinnacle Country Club.
As those who play golf know, it is a game that can take you from top to bottom from one round – or one week – to the next. The Wolverines proved this last weekend.
After a first-place showing in the Wolverine Invitational two weekends ago, Michigan finished 11th out of 16 teams last weekend. Although the team did not finish at the bottom, the Wolverines were disappointed with the considerable drop in their overall place from the previous tournament.
For the fourth tournament in a row, Schmucker led the Wolverines, shooting 227 (11-over), placing her into a tie for 16th place overall. She had the low round of all the Wolverine participants, firing an even-par 72 on the final day.
This shouldn’t come as a surprise.Schmucker has been leading the Wolverines all year, doing what a captain is supposed to be doing. Head coach Teichert, who accompanied the team down to Arkansas, said she was especially impressed with Schmucker’s performance this season.
“She’s really stepped up her game this year,” Teichert said. “She’s matured so much as a player.”
Schmucker is currently averaging a 73.89 stroke average – a career best – and has top-20 finishes in every tournament this season. Her first round, 4-under 68 at the Wolverine Invitational not only propelled her to runner-up medalist, but also put her in the record books – tying the University of Michigan record for lowest score.
For Schmucker, being captain means more than just about where her team finishes, personal-best rounds or individual honors. It’s about what doesn’t show up on the stat sheet that counts, says her coach.
“She relates really well to the girls and more than anything, they respect her,” Teichert said. “She shows leadership both on and off the course.”
Stinston was second on the team at this week’s tournament, posting a 236 (20-over) and placing her in a tie for 46th. Broderick, Easton and Zielinski followed, putting up scores of 238, 240 and 249, respectively. Davis did not finish the tournament because she was disqualified for not signing her scorecard in the final round.
“I think we had a pretty disappointing week,” Teichert said. “We never really got anything going.”
The hometown Razorbacks ran away with the competition, out-shooting Notre Dame – the second place team – by 20 strokes. Four out of the top five overall individual finishers were golfing for Arkansas.
The Wolverines will look to get back on track at next week’s Landfall Tradition in Wilmington, N.C.