WILLIAMSTOWN, MA — Erika DeSanty enters her first year at
the helm of the Williams College women’s golf program with a
simple goal in mind: Guiding the Ephs to a positive experience on
the links.
“I want this season to be a positive experience for all our
student-athletes,” she said. “My goal is to help them
play to the best of their abilities and play to their
strengths.”
DeSanty will have 10 golfers who will vie for playing time in the
fall, with reinforcements likely coming in the spring when a few
return from studies abroad.
Leading the way is a strong senior class that includes Anne
O’Leary, Kait O’Brien, Kristin Nottebohm and Mary
Gelber. O’Leary became the first Williams golfer to be named
to the National Golf Coaches Association (NGCA) All-American
Scholar Team for a third consecutive year with her selection in
June and also earned a spot on the All-NESCAC team in 2009. She is
also a two-time All-Region honoree (2007 & 2008) who has also
played in two NCAA Championships.
O’Brien and Nottebohm were frequent contributors to the Ephs
during tournament play last season.
“I’m hoping the seniors will immediately step up as
leaders – they are all excited and eager to start,”
DeSanty said. “I think they all have the ability to lead in
different ways and I expect all of them to make an immediate
contribution.”
Typically the fall is the “tune-up” season for the
program, with major championships decided in the spring. DeSanty
will use the time to get to know her players.
Aside from the seniors, DeSanty will also be looking at junior
Mary Beth Daub, sophomores Kristen Tubbs and Grace Gordon and first
years Becky Miller (Danville, CA), Aliza Shatzman (Ambler, PA) and
Victoria Student (Tiburon, CA).
“In golf, every shot is critical, but having a strong
mentality is even more critical,” DeSanty said. “What I
hope is that we can develop a mentality where we leave the last
shot behind and focus on the next one.”
DeSanty has no doubt her team will develop a strong work
ethic.
“I believe the best players are the type that practice and
work hard when no one is watching, and my hope is our seniors will
give our underclassmen an example to strive for in that
regard.”
The Ephs open the season at the Dartmouth Open on September 19th
and 20th. That’s a tournament that will include Div. I, II
and III teams.
“Right away, I’ll be able to see who has worked hard
over the summer and who is ready to compete against high-level
competition,” DeSanty said.
