By Wesley Hetcher
After having three competitions under their belts, the Lawrence University Golf team is almost finished with the fall portion of their season. They have seen many good rounds from a number of different golfers, and have welcomed some new faces to what will be a young team moving forward.
The college golf season is split up into separate fall and spring sections. With only four scheduled meets in the fall, it can be difficult to see improvements this early. However, many of the golfers at this level are more lighthearted about it. “Division III golf is not as competitive. People are very nice to each other, we are just having fun on the golf course,” Junior Nigel Schuster said.
The team had a fast start to the season, with Schuster in particular having a fair amount of success. After finishing third in the Midwest Conference last year, he placed in a tie for tenth at the Wisconsin Lutheran College Invitational on Sept. 20-21. The week before, junior Nathan Ley had tied for seventh at Marian University.
The team is welcoming two new freshmen, Nick Felan from Highland Village, Texas, and the first and only girl on the team Natalie Galster, of Wautoma, Wisc. As they round out the beginning to their fall introduction, they look forward to winter workouts. Even though only six members may compete at a time, they all need to be ready right away in the spring. “As soon as the snow melts, you’re out on the golf course and have to play,” says Schuster.
The Midwest Conference Tournament will be the highlight for many of the members. Held in Rockford, Ill., the golfers remain excited. “I like the pressure. I want to win,” Schuster comments, “I hope [as a team] we can do well, and that we can integrate the freshmen.”
The team competes again on Thursday, Oct. 8, in a duel against St. Norbert.