SMCC Women's Golf Opens Play at NJCAA National Championships
PHOENIX ---
Sophomore Miriam Verdugo and freshman Jenna Lee open play at the 2021 NJCAA National Championship at Plantation Bay Golf and Country Club in Ormond Beach, Fla., on Monday, May 10. The tandem will play four rounds at the event, and they and SMCC head coach Chelsea Carroll are excited to learn and work under the pressures of championship golf.
"It is exciting to reach a goal that we have worked hard all season for," said Carroll. "We are motivated more than ever to give our best to prepare to represent South Mountain Community College well. My biggest goal is to have them take one shot at a time and learn while they are out there. We have practiced many hours and read books on sports psychology, so I know the work we have put in this year has prepared us for this moment. We will have five days of back-to-back golf, so my goal for them is to take one shot at a time and enjoy the process. Competing at the NJCAA National Championships is special for our program, and we are already making plans to make it back next year to compete as a team."
The Cougars have focused on training and preparation for the event since wrapping up their regular season at the Paradise Valley Invitational on April 26-27. Verdugo placed 10th at the Cougars' final regular-season event, carding a 45-over 189, while Lee tied for 12th with a 52-over 196. Both earned Second Team All-ACCAC honors for their play in the spring 2021 season, and Verdugo received a Second Team All-Region I award.
"We have been focused on short game, working from 100 yards and in, and strengthening these areas so that we feel confident going into the tournament," Carroll said. "We had the opportunity to work with William Eldrenkamp, who is one of the top golf instructors at the Legacy Performance Center. He was able to analyze the girls' swings and give them instruction on how to get the most out of it."
SMCC is excited to travel across the country to compete on a new course, welcoming the challenges it presents. The team will also use the opportunity to visit Universal Studios and Florida's famous beaches.
Over the seven 2021 spring tournaments, Verdugo posted a season-best score of 177 over two rounds at the Coyote Lady Classic April 17-18 at Las Colinas Golf Course. In addition, she placed eighth at the Estrella Mountain Women's Invitational April 2-3 at Sundance Golf Course in Avondale, Ariz.
"It was exciting to have a full season, and finding out Jenna and I qualified for nationals made it the perfect ending," said Verdugo. "It has been exciting to see our hard work and practice pay off. As far as goals for this tournament, I want to focus on taking it one shot at a time and learning from every shot I take. Finally, I want to thank my friends, family, coach, and teammates."
Lee opened the spring with a ninth-place finish at the Mesa CC Invitational February 15-16 at Dobson Ranch Golf Course. She finished at 191 over the two rounds at that event and at the Coyote Lady Classic, where she tied for 13th. She also led the Cougars at their home tournament at Aguila Golf Course in Laveen Village, Ariz., on February 27-28.
"This year was tough, but I am glad to say my hard work qualified me for the National Championships. I am looking forward to this experience, and my goal is to focus on one stroke at a time and keep my emotions balanced," Lee said.
As a team, the Cougars enjoyed a stellar spring season that saw them improve throughout the year. The team posted a 46-shot improvement in its second round of the Coyote Lady Classic and made innumerable memories along the way.
"I have such an amazing group of young women, and this season has been a lot of hard work, but also so much fun, "Carroll said. "I have many favorite moments from this season, but the one that stands out the most would be when our team posted its best round of the season, carding a 377 in the second round of the Coyote Lady Classic."
However they finish, the Cougars want to soak in the moments and memories and enjoy this memorable experience.
"Going to the NJCAA National Championships is not a task we could accomplish alone. I would first like to thank SMCC Athletic Director Todd Eastin. The fall 2020 semester was full of the unknown of if we were going to have a season. Todd never gave up to speak up on behalf of the coaching staff, and we are thankful to work with a staff that is very supportive and passionate about what they do," Carroll concluded. "I would also like to thank all the SMCC professors and administrators that have supported us through this season. The decision to allow golf to continue this year was something we will never take for granted. Lastly, I would like to thank the parents, friends, and family who have believed in this program from day one. We are on our way to building a legacy. However, we would never be able to do it without the support of these people."
