Eph Women's Golf Spring Season Outlook

Eph second year co-head coach Fran Vandermeer knows she will have four players on hand who have played in the NCAA Championships in their career and she is hoping to get even more support as the year goes on.  Vandermeer returns two players who have earned All-Region honors in the past in senior Melissa Barton and junior Anne O'Leary.  Kait O’Brien and Kristin Nottebohm also have NCAA experience for the Ephs.

Vandermeer calls Barton, a senior captain, "a thoughtful leader who is a wonderful ambassador for our program."  Barton was an All-Region selection in 2007, has played in two NCAA Championships and had the top fall stroke average for the Ephs, 82.11. "Melissa is so steady mentally- she just does not let a wayward swing or a missed putt turn into a string of errors," says Vandermeer. "She keeps the ball in play and her strong short game helps her to score." In the fall Barton carded the top round by a Division III player at the Dartmouth Invitational when she posted a 77.  She was either the top performer or second best scorer for the Ephs in all four events in the fall.

Anne O'Leary, a junior, is a two-time All-Region honoree (2007 & 2008) who has also played in two NCAA Championships.  O'Leary had the second best fall stroke average for the Ephs with an 84.00 and in two fall events was the Ephs' second best scorer. "Anne might be our best player around the greens," comments Vandermeer. "She's our best bunker player and she has an excellent chipping and putting game."

Anne O'Leary '10

First year Kristen Tubbs was the third most consistent performer for the Ephs in the fall posting a stroke average of 84.29.  Finishing third in her first two collegiate events Tubbs closed out the fall campaign by being the top Eph scorer in the final two events. 

Junior Kait O'Brien was limited to just one event in the fall campaign due to an injury, but she competed for the Ephs at the 2008 NCAA Championships, she made it through the women's ice hockey season unscathed and appears ready to be a significant contributor this spring. "Kait is one of our longest hitters and she also has a strong short game," notes Vandermeer. "She has a wealth of junior and collegiate golf experience." 

Junior Kristin Nottebohm posted the fifth best fall stroke average for the Ephs (89.00).  According to Vandermeer, “Kristin is a consistent performer for us and her easy-going demeanor helps her to keep her poise on the golf course.”

A trio of sophomores, Lauren Anstey, Dale Markey, and Aimee Weber, has tournament experience for the Ephs.  Sophomore Rebecca Sullivan and first years Elizabeth Lee and Grace Gordon round out the spring roster.

Vandermeer is also optimistic that with local PGA teaching pro Josh Hillman working as the team’s swing coach, the Ephs will have a valuable resource to turn to when they are working on their game.  "Josh is a terrific teacher and he relates well to the players,” notes Vandermeer.

Team goals for this spring include earning a third consecutive trip to the NCAA Championships, which would give Williams three appearances in their brief five year tenure as a varsity sport.  Williams finished eighth at the 2008 NCAA Championships.

The Ephs open their spring season with Middlebury on March 25th during the Florida trip.  The northern portion of the schedule will begin on April 18th when they head to the Pioneer Valley to compete in the Jack Leaman Invitational at Hickory Ridge Golf Club and the Orchards.