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By Tom Ramstetter, NKU Sports Information HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - The Northern Kentucky University golfers return to the links next month with designs on improving on solid performances in the fall. The NKU men’s team carded 43 wins in the fall against just 14 losses. Four Norse golfers were ranked in the Top 20 in the region. Senior Carl Hays, a Simon Kenton High School graduate, and freshman Danny Lewis averaged 73. Senior Andrew Jewell and junior Eric Fuldner (Campbell County) fired an average of 74. Head coach Daryl Landrum noted the Norse also received solid play from senior Tyler Adkins and junior Clint Kohls, a Bishop Brossart High School graduate. “The men had a great fall with the exception of the Michigan regional invitational, where we struggled,” Landrum said. “Because of that we need to play well in both regionals in the spring and the conference. “Our goal is to get into the super regionals in May. We have qualified for the NCAA Tournament eight straight years, and there's no reason to stop now. Once we make it to the regionals, I like our chances to make it to the nationals in Houston.” The women started off slow in the fall, but had a strong finish with a second-place showing at Southern Indiana's Screaming Eagle Invitational and a win at the Midwest Shootout to post a record of 44 wins and 13 losses.
Florida Southern transfer Alicia Stauffacher, a junior, finished with a 76 average and is rated as the second-best player in the region and in the top 15 nationally. Senior Alicia Lawrence, a Williamstown High School graduate, averaged 81. Junior Sofie Rasmussen also averaged an 81 in the Fall for the Norse. “The key to our success will be Lyndsey Bevill, who had an injury this fall and only played in our last tournament,” Landrum said. “She played solid and helped us get our only fall victory.” Bevill averaged 82 for the Norse in the fall. “I'm still waiting to see who steps up and claims the No. 5 spot," Landrum said. "Nicole (Hess), Charity (Evans) and Hannah (Lindauer) are all capable and if one of them can average around 80-83, we will be a contender in the regional.” The women’s team will resume play Feb. 24-26 at the Lady Moc Classic at Cleveland Heights Golf Course in Lakeland, Fla. The men will then get back on the course March 13 against Bellarmine at Cherry Blossom Golf Course in Georgetown, Ky. The men are scheduled to host the NKU Spring Invitational March 14-16 at Pendleton Country Club in Butler, Ky. The Norse men will then head to Goodyear, Ariz., the town negotiating to become the new Spring Training home of the Cincinnati Reds, for the Grand Canyon University/Thunderbirds Invitational at Palm Valley Golf Club. The Great Lakes Regional Invitational, also at Cherry Blossom, will be held April 4-6. The Wayne State Regional Invitational is April 20-21 at Purgatory in Noblesville, Ind. The women will be in Goodyear, Ariz., for the Grand Canyon Women’s Invitational March 23-25, and will host the NKU Spring Invitational March 28-30 at Perry Park Golf Course in Perry Park, Ky. The Lewis Aviator Classic will be held April 20-21 at Prairie Bluff Golf Course in Lockport, Ill. Both teams will compete in the GLVC Championships in April. The men’s event will take place April 12-15 at Otter Creek Golf Course in Columbus, Ind. The women will settle the conference championship April 25-27 at Kokopelli Golf Course in Marion, Ind. The regional tournaments will be held May 5-7. The men hope to be at the NCAA Great Lakes/Central Super Regional at Red Hawk Run Golf Course in Findlay, Ohio. The women aim to complete in the NCAA East Regional at The Meadows Golf Course in Allendale, Mich. Both the men’s and women’s NCAA nationals will be held in Houston. The women compete May 13-16 and the men play May 14-17. Courses for the NCAA Championships have not yet been announced.
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