Jan. 25, 2011
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The University of Notre Dame women’s golf team not only had a bountiful season on the golf course, but also excelled in the classroom. The team compiled a 3.534 cumulative grade point average to receive the Top Team G.P.A. Award for the fall of 2010.
“At the beginning of each year the team comes up with a list of academic and athletic goals for each semester,” head coach Susan Holt said. “In the fall the team had a goal of achieving a 3.45 grade point average. The team achieved their goal and surpassed it with ease by earning a 3.534.”
The team had a clearly thought out plan of how they would reach their goals. They first established pillars such as challenging each other, while being a support system for one another at the same time. Additionally, they realized that obtaining their goals meant more than just spending hours on the green or in the library, it’s a mindset. Seeing “the glass half full” has paid off for the women’s golf team as they have not only reached their academic goal, but also, claimed the crown at the William K. Warren Invite in October, another goal they had set prior to the start of the season.
The team captured first place in the 13-team field, while freshman Nicole Zhang (Calgary, Alberta/Bishop Carroll) tied for second place, carding a three-round total of 218 (+2). The Irish had two golfers finish in the top 20, as senior So-Hyun Park (Seoul, South Korea/Bradenton Prep. Academy) finished 12th and registered a 229 (+13), while junior Becca Huffer (Denver, Colo./Littleton) finished in a tie for 17th place with a 231 (+15).
“I am very proud of their commitment to each other and to achieving their own personal academic standards,” Holt said. “We have a small team and everyone needs to give great effort in the classroom because if anyone isn’t giving their full potential it really negatively impacts the team’s grade point average. We were the only team that had a complete roster of grade point averages over 3.20. I think that makes a real statement.”
–ND–