Flagler’s women’s golf team builds off successful preseason

By Emily Crosby | gargoyle@flagler.edu

The Flagler women’s golf team has enjoyed a successful preseason outing, finishing within the top three in all four preseason tournaments they participated in.

They came in first place at the Lady Bearcat Invitational in Hilton Head, S.C., and battled top-ranked Lynn University during a playoff hole at the Saint Leo Invitational in Dade City, Fla. Team dynamics played a role in the team’s success; but when it comes down to it, golf is won through individual play.

“It is completely different from any other team sport,” Nicole Keyser said. “When we are out competing, we are on our own. We don’t have our teammates around, but that does not stop the team from supporting each other.

“It is a great feeling to know that when you are out on the course, you have four other girls backing you up. It is great to know that when you are having a rough hole or you just had a bad shot, you have teammates that support you,” Keyser added.

Maria Santacroce is one of those teammates.

“I had a great time representing Flagler with my team, and we are all looking forward to future success in the spring” Santacroce said. Santacroce was selected as the Peach Belt Conference’s Women’s Golfer of the Week for the second consecutive week, and was also selected as Flagler College’s Athlete of the Week.

Flagler’s season starts Feb. 9, opening up with the World Golf Invitational at the Slammer and Squire course at World Golf Village. A home to the World Golf Hall of Fame is also a home to Flagler’s golf team.

“The practice facility at Slammer and Squire is very advanced, and not many golf courses are privileged to have a practice facility that this course has,” Keyser said.

Keyser says the team has high expectations going into the 2014 season.

“I personally believe this is our year to win the national championship,” Keyser said. “All eight of us have the talent and the ability to win it on any given day.”