At the University of Tampa, the debut of a new women’s golf team promises to liven up the spring semester.
Prior to this year, UT was the only Division II school that did not have a women’s golf team. The athletic department planned to include a women’s golf team in Fall 2011. That was before Missey Jones was hired as head coach.
“I said ‘Why can’t I start this Spring? Plenty of girls are available on campus that would be interested,’” Jones said.
So Jones began to build the team. First, she had to get the word out on campus and generate interest in the team.
“I put flyers in all the dorms, laundry rooms and in the ROTC building. I wanted to start the team now; I didn’t want to wait ‘till Fall,” Jones explained.
There was plenty of initial interest in the team – until those interested found out that they would not have access to golf carts or caddies. Instead, it’s all walking and carrying their own bags. Some were still interested, though.
“It showed me the ones who were really serious and tough enough to compete,” Jones said.
After finding girls on campus who wanted to be on the team, they had to become eligible to practice and play for the team – basically, a lot of paperwork.
“[Until they’re eligible] they can practice all they want, I just can’t be with them,” Jones explained.
Once eligible, the team will practice three days a week: Saturday, they will play 18 holes; Sunday, 36 holes; Monday 18 holes. It’s a big time commitment. Eighteen holes takes a few hours, depending on the number participating, and the Sunday practices will be all day.
“It’s a new experience for the girls. Most high schools only play nine holes and they have access to a cart,” Jones said.
It’s a big time commitment for Coach Jones too.
“Men’s and women’s golf coach positions are part-time positions at UT, but with recruitment, it feels like full-time,” she said.
Since it’s only a part-time position, Jones has another full-time position as a golf professional at the Silverado Golf & Country Club.
“It’s easy to work around – just work a lot of double shifts. I do a lot of double days so I can be off Saturday afternoons. As it is I’m off Sunday, Monday, Tuesday,” Jones said. It’s convenient because most golf tournaments are typically Sunday to Tuesday, if not weekend tournaments.
The final piece to building the team is competition. Jones could begin competing in tournaments with just one girl; however, only teams can rack up points and wins.
To compete as a team, they need five girls. With the six girls on the roster so far, that won’t be an issue. The current roster includes senior Kelsey Abert; juniors Chloe Campbell and Kirsten Dwyer; and sophomores Sara Biron, Kara Flando and Alexa Sokolowski, all of whom played in high school.
“They are all very determined. A lot have two jobs and now they’re committing to this as well,” Jones said.
The team has three tournaments scheduled for this semester. The first is Feb. 13-14: The Webber International Invitational in Lake Wales, Fla.
In the Fall, the team will have a full year ahead of them to compete in even more tournaments.
Jones hopes to even more members on the team, including incoming freshman golfers excited to play collegiate golf at the University of Tampa.
April Weiner can be reached at april.weiner@spartans.ut.edu.