Sunday, September 27
Norman, Okla.
All Day
Kansas State University
at
Schooner Fall Classic
Finally Beginning, K-State to Open Fall Slate at Schooner Classic
Sep 25, 2020 | Women's Golf
MANHATTAN, Kan. – K-State women's golf hasn't fired its first tournament shot yet, but has seen its share of adventure in the lead up to Sunday's opening round at the Schooner Fall Classic in Norman, Oklahoma.
"It's been like a roller coaster," senior Niamh McSherry said, not referencing the team's nearly five hour caravan south. "I'm just super happy at the fact that we are going to play. I know a lot of teams aren't getting the chance, so we are really fortunate to get to do it."
McSherry and the Wildcats are hoping their enthusiasm to get back on the course coupled with their pre-season practices will be enough to carry them to a top finish at the par-70, 6,094-yard Belmar Golf Club, a new course for every player in K-State's scoring lineup. The first of just two fall events for K-State will feature a 54-hole showdown amongst 11 teams, including all nine Big 12 teams along with North Texas and Arkansas State.
"I think it is going to be really good for our confidence when we play well this week," said fellow senior Reid Isaac, who finished last year's abbreviated season with the second-best scoring average. "I think it's a great opportunity to show the other Big 12 schools how we've been working and what we have coming for them this spring and the next couple tournaments."
Along with Isaac and McSherry, K-State sends an experienced lineup to Oklahoma, with graduate transfer Brooke Nolte set to make her K-State debut and juniors Briony Bayles and Heather Fortushniak looking to contribute. It'll be K-State's second time in the tournament field, posting a T7th finish out of 12 teams in 2005. During that event, former Wildcat Madison Talley shot a 66 (-5) in the second round, tied for third-lowest 18-hole score in program history and part of a climb into a third-place finish individually.
For the eighth year, the Oklahoma Sooners women's golf team will host the event, this year with a slightly adjusted format. There are new guidelines put in place for team healthy and safety, including teams playing in groups of five with their teammates to minimize contact with other schools and carts to speed up the pace of play. That shift is just another twist outside of the norm for a Wildcats team that has embraced flexibility.
"It's exciting that we are going out," K-State Head Coach Kristi Knight said. "We are blessed to have this opportunity, and it is just a matter of going down there with a high sense of belief. The ladies have played some good golf here, so now is the fun part. It's the excitement and fun of being able to go play in a tournament, that's where the emphasis is. Go in with a mindset of gratitude and appreciation. We are really looking forward to it."
The tournament is free and open to the public, although spectators are asked to respect social distancing guidelines. Remote spectators can follow live scoring on GolfStat throughout the event with Monday's final two holes broadcast on Fox Sports Oklahoma during tape delayed broadcast on Tuesday morning (time TBD). That footage will be live streamed on Monday afternoon.
As for the road trip, K-State's lineup is ready to enjoy every minute.
"We really enjoy the time on the road together," Isaac said. "When it's time to lock in, we know how to be serious, but we also really know how to be fun and enjoy these moments because like we saw last year, they can end at any time."
"It's been like a roller coaster," senior Niamh McSherry said, not referencing the team's nearly five hour caravan south. "I'm just super happy at the fact that we are going to play. I know a lot of teams aren't getting the chance, so we are really fortunate to get to do it."
McSherry and the Wildcats are hoping their enthusiasm to get back on the course coupled with their pre-season practices will be enough to carry them to a top finish at the par-70, 6,094-yard Belmar Golf Club, a new course for every player in K-State's scoring lineup. The first of just two fall events for K-State will feature a 54-hole showdown amongst 11 teams, including all nine Big 12 teams along with North Texas and Arkansas State.
"I think it is going to be really good for our confidence when we play well this week," said fellow senior Reid Isaac, who finished last year's abbreviated season with the second-best scoring average. "I think it's a great opportunity to show the other Big 12 schools how we've been working and what we have coming for them this spring and the next couple tournaments."
Along with Isaac and McSherry, K-State sends an experienced lineup to Oklahoma, with graduate transfer Brooke Nolte set to make her K-State debut and juniors Briony Bayles and Heather Fortushniak looking to contribute. It'll be K-State's second time in the tournament field, posting a T7th finish out of 12 teams in 2005. During that event, former Wildcat Madison Talley shot a 66 (-5) in the second round, tied for third-lowest 18-hole score in program history and part of a climb into a third-place finish individually.
For the eighth year, the Oklahoma Sooners women's golf team will host the event, this year with a slightly adjusted format. There are new guidelines put in place for team healthy and safety, including teams playing in groups of five with their teammates to minimize contact with other schools and carts to speed up the pace of play. That shift is just another twist outside of the norm for a Wildcats team that has embraced flexibility.
"It's exciting that we are going out," K-State Head Coach Kristi Knight said. "We are blessed to have this opportunity, and it is just a matter of going down there with a high sense of belief. The ladies have played some good golf here, so now is the fun part. It's the excitement and fun of being able to go play in a tournament, that's where the emphasis is. Go in with a mindset of gratitude and appreciation. We are really looking forward to it."
The tournament is free and open to the public, although spectators are asked to respect social distancing guidelines. Remote spectators can follow live scoring on GolfStat throughout the event with Monday's final two holes broadcast on Fox Sports Oklahoma during tape delayed broadcast on Tuesday morning (time TBD). That footage will be live streamed on Monday afternoon.
As for the road trip, K-State's lineup is ready to enjoy every minute.
"We really enjoy the time on the road together," Isaac said. "When it's time to lock in, we know how to be serious, but we also really know how to be fun and enjoy these moments because like we saw last year, they can end at any time."
Players Mentioned
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
/ Women's Golf
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