Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Women's Golf Opens Season This Weekend
09/04/2003 | 12:00:00 | Women's Golf
Sept. 4, 2003
By Jeff Honza
www.SIUSalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Southern Illinois University's women's golf team opens its season at the Illinois State Redbird Classic on Sunday-Monday, Sept. 7-8. SIU, who is one of 12 teams competing at the event, plays 36 holes Sunday and 18 Monday. Both days begin with a 8:30 a.m., shotgun start at University Golf Course in Normal, Ill.
Freshmen Kelly Gerlach (Ger-latch) and Samantha Sutzer will occupy two of the team's top-five lineup spots heading into the weekend.
Holding the number two position is Sparta, Ill., native Gerlach, who joins the Dawgs from Sparta High School. A four-time state qualifier, she won the SIGA Women's Golf Championship this past summer.
Meanwhile, Sutzer hails from Springfield, Ill., and makes her SIU debut after a solid prep career at Sacred Heart Griffin High School. A four-time all-conference pick, she will play at number five.
"I'm thrilled two freshmen are going this weekend," said Head Coach Diane Daugherty. "I'm excited to see how they'll compete at this level."
In addition to the pair of rookies, seniors Amy Rankin and Megan Tarrolly, junior Stefanie Pate and sophomore Tiffany Fritsche fill out the rest of the lineup.
Going as the Salukis' top threat is Rankin, who was SIU's second-leading golfer last season. A native of Decatur, Ill., she collected a 81.5 stroke average in 25 rounds, and was named Scholar-Athlete all-MVC.
Fritsche, who hails from Willisville, Ill., competes as SIU's number three golfer. She tied for third at the ISU Redbird Classic to mark her best individual finish of the 2003 season.
Pate, on the other hand, occupies the number four spot. A native of Carbondale, she finished as the Salukis' third-best golfer a year ago.
Rounding out the lineup is Tarrolly who opens her senior campaign as an individual. Tarrolly hails from Mequon, Wis., and is projected to be one of SIU's top two golfers this season. However, she struggled in the team's season-opening qualifier last week.
Loyola, Northern Illinois, SMU, Iowa, Missouri, Missouri-Kansas City, Western Illinois, Bradley, SMS, Illinois State and Northern Iowa also join SIU in Normal this weekend. Last year, the Salukis finished second at the ISU Redbird Classic.
