Men and women hit the links

| STATE NEWS FILE PHOTO Then-sophmore golfer Dayna Burleigh chips the ball onto the 13th green at the Forest Akers West golf course. Burleigh is one of five women's golf team members who competed in the May 18-21 NCAA Championships in Auburn, Ala.

After finishing third at the NCAA Regionals 21st at Nationals last year the team has to deal with losses of key players such as Allison Fouch, Sarah Martin and Ann Marie Kersten. Head coach Stacy Slobodnik-Stoll said her team is up to the task.

"You're hoping if you recruit good players there won't be any effect (for losing seniors) - we brought some good freshmen into the program," Slobodnik-Stoll said.

"We had a great season last year. It says a lot for our program."

Sophomore Rachel Meikle said they seniors left behind their work ethic and winning mentality.

"It is hard to lose those seniors, but they left a good legacy about how to work and how to win," Meikle said.

With a tough schedule ahead for the Spartans, they hope new additions such as incoming freshman Sara Brown will have an immediate impact.

The Spartans have what Slobodnik-Stoll called a "great and competitive" schedule this year, traveling the country to play tournaments in Tennessee, Georgia, California and Florida.

The Spartans had a busy summer as sophomores Heather Rose and Mandi McConnell both qualified for the 2004 U.S. Women's Amateur, and junior Jennifer Johnson took medal honors at the Eagle Crest Golf Club in Ypsilanti as part of the Fidra Midwest Collegiate Series.

Former Spartan Stacy Snider won the 2004 Michigan PGA Women's Open in the summer.

Slobodnik-Stoll said having players be successful beyond the NCAA only adds visibility to the women's golf program at MSU.

The team opens the season Sept. 11-12 at the Lady Northern Invitational tournament in Ann Arbor.

The MSU men's golf team is hoping a mix of veterans and freshmen will lead the Spartans to a successful 2004 season.

With the addition Ryan Brehm, Michigan's Mr. Golf last year, to the leadership of seniors Andrew Ruthkoski and James Chestnut, head coach Mark Hankins expects healthy competition within his team.

"Andrew is a three-year contributor, sophomore Matt Harmon will bring some added stability and be steady like he was last year, and incoming freshman Ryan Brehm has all the tools and is an accomplished golfer," Hankins said.

Hankins said the experience the team received last year will benefit the Spartans as they will make an attempt to go deep into the NCAA Tournament.

"We want to make it to the NCAA Finals," he said. "We know we have the potential to be there - we just have to take it one shot at a time and one tournament at a time."

Harmon placed second at the Michigan Amateur over the summer and is looking for that success to carry over into the fall. His second-place finish qualified Harmon for the 2004 U.S. Amateur Championship in Mamaroneck, N.Y.

"All the hard work I've been putting in is starting to pay off," Harmon said.

Harmon also said he is confident about the Spartans' schedule ahead and is looking forward to playing in tournaments in North Carolina and Texas.

"I like traveling down South and playing in tournaments any chance I get," Harmon said.

The men's golf team added some promising recruits since last season, and the Spartans will be looking for an immediate impact from Brehm and incoming freshman Grant Tungate, an East Lansing native.

"(Brehm) should play all the time and contribute," Harmon said. "He is a good player and has been working hard."