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2007 Women's Golf Preview
The Olivet College women’s golf team captured the 2006 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) championship during the fall and the MIAA playoff in the spring. By virtue of winning the playoff, the Comets earned the league’s automatic bid to the 2007 NCAA Division III National Championships, where they placed ninth of 20 teams. Therefore, one word, “repeat,” describes the goal for the 2007 team.

According to Head Coach Bill Maas, “there is no doubt that the goal to repeat is a realistic one because of the talent of the returning golfers. In fact, I believe that we will put up better scores than last year.”

Leading the group of returning golfers are juniors Trisha McKim (DeWitt) and Lindsay Pipkin (White Lake/Lakeland). McKim and Pipkin earned first-team All-MIAA honors for the second straight year in 2006. In addition, Pipkin became the first women’s golfer in school history to be named to the National Golf Coaches Association All-Great Lakes Region team.

In the four MIAA rounds during the fall, McKim totaled 339 strokes for a 84.8 average. Pipkin was only three strokes behind at 341 and 85.3. During the spring, McKim had a 90.1 average, while Pipkin had a team-low 83.9 average, including an 80.3 average in the three MIAA rounds.

“Trisha and Lindsay are such great individuals,” said Maas. “Going to nationals last year opened their eyes to show what hard work can do. Together, they were our best recruiting class and they have not let us down.”

Senior Amanda Sanders (Concord) is also back after earning 2006 second-team All-MIAA honors with an 88.5 stroke average. Senior Jennifer Lambarth (Saline) is expected to return to the team after missing the entire 2006 season. As a freshman in 2004, she earned first-team All-MIAA honors.

“Amanda has a high level of talent,” says Maas. “For whatever reason, she has not been able to shake some of the bad luck she has experienced. I am hoping that Jen can return to her freshman and sophomore form. She was a big part of our success during her first two years.”

Also look for sophomores Katie Misko (Alma) and Megan Rimmel (Ithaca) to have an impact on this year’s team. Last year, both played as individual scorers during the fall MIAA rounds and were not eligible for postseason honors. Misko averaged 89.5 strokes in two rounds. Rimmel was first in the player standings with an 84.3 average in four rounds. During the spring, she was second on the team with an 84.4 average.

“I am hopeful that Katie can continue her trend of getting better,” Maas said. “Megan played a lot during the summer, and I expect her to step up and have a great year.”
Freshmen Amber Conrad (Battle Creek/Harper Creek) and Abby Wheeler (Grayling) add depth to the roster. Conrad tied for seventh-place at the 2007 Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA) Lower Peninsula Division II Girls' Golf Finals, while Wheeler was 10th at the 2007 MHSAA Lower Peninsula Division III Girls' Golf Finals.