Men’s and women’s golf season is in full swing
Danielle Fuss ties 54 hole program record. Photos by: highpointpanthers.com
Brenden MacDougall has been named Big South Freshman of the Week three times this season.
By Kaitlyn Creekmore// Staff Writer
Both the men’s and women’s golf teams have been led by new head coaches this year, and their success has already been seen. The men’s team claimed a victory at the Donald Ross Intercollegiate tournament, finishing first out of 10 teams. They were also successful at the Patriot Intercollegiate tournament and Phoenix Intercollegiate tournament, placing 10th of out 21 and eighth out of 15 respectively. The women’s team has also had a great season, finishing fifth out of nine at the CSU Fall Invitational, and 11th out of 18 at the Lady Pirate Intercollegiate tournament.
Senior Danielle Fuss has had an incredible season this year, being named Big South golfer of the week after tying the 54-hole program record in Greenville, North Carolina. This placed her second among a field of 96 top golfers and helped propel her team forward.
“The support of my team and my coach has definitely helped me to succeed this year,” Fuss said. “We are such a close group of girls and we really have become a family. We all push each other to succeed and are there for each other through the ups and downs.”
On the men’s team, freshman Brendan MacDougall is making quite the impression. He was named the Big South Freshman of the Week three times this season, HPU Student Athlete of the week, and lead the team at the Patriot Intercollegiate tournament.
“From the day that our new coach came in, he stressed that we were going to be a tight-knit group, we’re going to work together, and we’re going to work hard,” MacDougall said. “Team atmosphere has been a big part [of my success] this season.”
When his results aren’t what he expects of himself, MacDougall reminds himself of a Les Brown quote he heard when he was young: “No matter how bad it is or how bad it gets, I am going to make it.” MacDougall still hopes to accomplish his goal of obtaining an individual win this season.
Senior Alex Thompson has also been a valuable player to the men’s team this year. After walking on the team second semester of his freshmen year, he has since mastered balancing his athletic responsibilities with his schoolwork. He has been an HPU Millis-Scholar Athlete for two years in a row now.
“It’s a lot tougher from first semester when I wasn’t playing a sport, but you have to set priorities,” Thompson said. “It’s all about time management.”
Passion for the game is what moves each of these athletes. They each developed a love for the sport at a young age, and have the drive and motivation to push themselves to work harder and play better every day.
“I started golfing pretty much as soon as I could walk,” Fuss said. “I would follow my older brother around who also played, as well as my dad.”
“I grew up on a golf course, on the 17th hole,” Thompson said. “I played when I was really little.”
“I first started golfing when I was two,” MacDougall said. “My parents set me down in front of the TV and I first started mimicking golf swings from what I saw.”
Patience, teamwork, problem solving and confidence are just a few of the many lessons Seniors Fuss and Thompson will take with them when they graduate.
“I cherish every moment that I have left on this team and with these girls who have become like family to me,” Fuss said. “I definitely want to play my best for them and knowing that this is my last year on the team, that has definitely motivated me to work my hardest.”
The men’s team finished their fall season at the Hummingbird Intercollegiate on Oct. 31, while the women will close out their season at The Preview on Nov. 5.