In May of 2011, Eastern University added its 16th intercollegiate sport: women’s golf. The program began with training during the summer of 2011 and commenced competition during the fall.
Currently, the team includes seven players: First-year Melissa Wylie, first-year Kaleigh Boreman, sophomore Kathryn Ann Haring, sophomore Sarah Webb, sophomore Kearby Benak, first-year Elayna Simpson and first-year Ellen Sherman.
“We definitely have a great group of girls who work hard to improve and have a lot of fun in the process,” Sherman said in an email.
In addition to balancing golf and schoolwork, many of the women’s golf team members are involved in other collegiate sports such as basketball, field hockey, volleyball and soccer.
Boreman, a forward on the women’s basektball team, admitted that it can be challenging to balance sports and academics. However, she said that she learned to manage her time over the course of the year, as did the other girls. Boreman began playing golf competitively last year as the only female on her high school team. She was recruited for Eastern’s new team by basketball coach Nate Davis.
Davis accepted the position as Head Coach of the women’s golf after meeting with much success as the first-year Head Coach of women’s basketball.
Director of Athletics Brad Fields expressed confidence in Davis’ new role, claiming that the coach will establish a team “that Eastern will not only be proud of on the course, but in the classroom and the community as well.”
Most recently, the women’s golf team played at the Stevenson Invitational on April 9 and at the Misericordia Invitational on April 16. The Stevenson match was held at Piney Branch Country Club where the team shot a 484. Kaleigh Boreman shot the team low at 104.
“I feel a lot better because I’ve been doing better in the last couple matches,” Boreman said. “I feel like I’ve been getting it down so I’m excited.” She encourages female Eastern students to consider trying out for the team next year. “It’s a lot of fun. I think you should give it a try.”
Will Cunningham 
Mikaela Brown 
Sophia Hunter