Spending the last four years with the women’s golf team has definitely been one of the highlights of my university experience.
I’ve seen the women’s team grow from a struggling two-person competitive club in my first year to a provincially-dominant varsity team this past year, winning all invitational tournaments and finishing second at the OUA championships. When I first ed the team it consisted of me and Megan Zalewski. Every year since we have gained talented like Casey Ward, Hailey Ingleson and Justice Durland. I’m sad to leave the energy, the spirit and the drive of this team, but I know it will continue to be a strong force in OUA golf.
Until this year, the women’s golf team was designated as a competitive club. Competitive clubs are a unique group of sports who are allowed to represent Queen’s in invitational tournaments but are unable to compete in the OUA championships. Like many competitive clubs, the golf team struggled to prove itself as a competitive force in its provincial competitions, when most other university golf teams had full varsity behind them. With little funding, it was difficult to travel and represent Queen’s like the varsity teams of other universities.
The golf team has been fortunate enough to gain talented that have taken the team to the podium. Every year I’ve been on the team we’ve improved ourselves on the provincial invitational circuit. Last year we medalled in all four tournaments we played in, with three silvers and one bronze. We created a team that was worthy of from Queen’s Athletics and we finally got it thanks to the work of our coaches, Sandy McBride and Bert Kea, our stellar performances and the from Lisa Eyles, coordinator of sports clubs and camps at Queen’s Athletics, who provided us with the istration we needed to become a varsity team.
The golf team became a varsity team this year, allowing us to compete in the OUA championships and vie for a chance at the national title come May.
We’ve been amalgamated with the men’s team, though, and therefore share the same budget the men’s varsity had in previous years. Money has been tight at Queen’s and I know the women’s golf team isn’t the only one feeling the effects. Therefore, I think it’s crucial that small teams like us have istrative as well as the from our fellow students.
I hope future student participation and from Athletics will continue for all small teams and that the golf team will continue to earn its place among varsity sports at Queen’s.
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