Indiana University Athletics
Women's Golf Holds Annual End of the Year Banquet
5/8/2006 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
May 8, 2006
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - The Indiana women's golf team officially put an end to the 2005-06 campaign with the end of the year awards banquet on May 8. Fans, staff and parents came together to honor the women's golf student-athletes with a lunch, awards ceremony and highlight video.
Head coach Clint Wallman noted how much the team improved throughout the course of the season, and credited the senior class of Shannon Johnson, Katie Carlson and Molly Redfearn with the leadership to help turn around this year's team. The Hoosiers averaged a team score of 311.22 per 18 holes throughout the season, including an impressive 306.33 over their last four tournaments. IU also improved 29 spots in the national rankings compared to where it finished last season.
In fact, the 2005-06 Hoosiers team etched its name in the IU record books during the 2006 Big Ten Championships. The championships proved to be one of the best events in school history, as the Hoosiers' 72-hole 1,214 (300-292-301-321) ranked as the fifth-best four-round mark in IU lore. Indiana also made its way in the record books with the sixth-best 18-hole mark (292), seventh-best 36-hole mark (592) and fifth-lowest 54-hole mark (893) in program history.
"I couldn't be more proud of this team, especially the seniors," Wallman said during the banquet. "This team was a very tight team even though they came into the program as two separate groups in reality, but really blended together. They were able to carry on the tradition of excellence the IU golf program has had over the years. They saw what it takes to be successful and basically, from spring break on they played with a lot of confidence, a lot of enthusiasm and a lot of heart. Going into next season, I feel very good about this team."
As part of the ceremony, the coaching staff handed out the end of the season awards. Johnson garnered the Hoosier of the Year honor, given to the team's most valuable golfer. The Sioux Falls, S.D., native led Indiana with a 74.38 per-round stroke average, a number which ranks third in the school annals, as well as capturing two tournament victories (Notre Dame Invitational on Sept. 10-11 and the UNLV Spring Invitational on March 13-15) and six top-10 finishes on the campaign. Johnson also won the Cream and Crimson Cup awarded to the IU golfer who won a season-long tournament within the team.
Additionally, sophomore Elaine Harris received the Most Improved Hoosier award this year. Harris improved her stroke average from 81.60 a year ago to 77.09 this year - a number that ranked second on the squad. Harris capped her sophomore campaign with a career-best tournament at the Big Ten Championships, tying for sixth overall with a 72-hole 295. During the conference tournament, Harris shot career-low 18-hole (70), 36-hole (141), 54-hole (217) and 72-hole marks throughout the four-round event held at the IU Golf Course.
Sophomore Gennifer Marrs received the Hoosier Heart Award, given to the Hoosier who shows the best team spirit, support and courage throughout the season. The senior class all received the Coaches Award, which is given annually to Hoosiers who best exemplify leadership, work ethic, passion and commitment.
