As the flowers bloom and temperatures are finally heating up, the Taylor women’s and men’s golf teams are heating up as well.
Women’s golf is off to a solid start to open the spring season, with Taylor finishing in third place out of four teams at the Lindsey Wilson Spring Invitational.
Senior Shayne Lim finished in second place, just one stroke behind first place. Lim noted that the weather conditions played a significant role in the team’s performance. At the event, the wind was gusting up to 40 miles per hour. She said it affected nearly every shot.
“The wind changes a lot on that course, especially when it’s gusting,” Lim said. “The wind can change in just a second and it makes it extremely hard to control your ball.”
Lim also said club selection can change with wind depending on the direction. She said you may need to club up or down in specific situations.
Men’s golf also competed at Lindsey Wilson, taking third place out of seven teams. Freshman Aaron Fulda tied for third place, just two strokes from first place.
He also emphasized the wind and how it changed his approach to certain shots throughout the event.
“I kind of just look at what is going to be the most predictable shot,” Fulda said. “Obviously you can’t predict everything, and at a course like the one we were playing, so I’m always looking for that most predictable shot.”
Both Lim and Fulda earned Crossroads League Golfer of the Week honors after their strong individual performances at the Invitational.
Fulda said the honor came as a shock since he was an individual performer for this event.
“It was a surprise for sure,” Fulda said. “I was very thankful to play so well and for the recognition. Hopefully I can build on it and finish the season strong.”
The next event for the men and women was the Music City Classic in Old Hickory, Tenn. The women finished in 11th place out of 21 teams and the men finished 18th out of 21.
It was the next event that proved to be the most successful for both teams. At the Pilot Springs Classic in South Bend, Ind., both teams took home the top spot. The women competed with eight other schools, including several CL rivals like Spring Arbor, Bethel, Mount Vernon Nazarene and St. Francis.
Lim and sophomore Eleanor Schuitema took home first and second place respectively while junior Hope Haarer tied for fourth.
On the men’s side, sophomore Julian Valenti took third place with sophomores Ben Oakley and Porter Dick picking up fifth and sixth place respectively.
Both teams are now setting their sights on the CL Tournament, which takes place on April 27 for the men and May 4 for the women.
Lim said while she is looking forward to the tournament, she is also focused on self-improvement.
“I am keeping consistent and making sure my game is where it needs to be,” Lim said. “I feel like your biggest opponent is yourself and if I can just keep pushing, I think I’ll be ready for (the CL Tournament).”
The men have one more regular season meet before the CL championship in Noblesville, Ind. for the Sagamore Shootout on April 20. The event will host seven CL schools: Taylor, Indiana Wesleyan, Huntington, Mount Vernon Nazarene, Spring Arbor, Marian and St. Francis.
