Golf looks to grow in spring with youth

by Olu Rotibi

With the spring season approaching, both Simpson men and women golf teams prepare for another competitive season.

The Simpson men’s golf team comes off a fall season which features a second place finish at the annual Simpson invitational Sept. 18, 2012. In addition the Storm placed a fourth place performance at the Dubuque invitational Sept. 22 and Sept.23. With a second place finish at the IIAC spring preview, the Storm are poised to win an IIAC conference title.

The Storm are led by sophomore Andy Hutchins and freshman Trent Lindenman, who in the fall averaged combined for just over a 78 stroke lead. Sophomore Jimmy Siebert and junior Connor Juifs look to help balance a young Storm lineup who ranked fourth in the Iowa Conference with a scoring average of 316.8.

Head Coach Jason Marvelli is looking forward to see his team improve from a fall season that saw the Storm make strides as a team.

“We’ve got a young team that showed some improvement this fall,” said Marvelli. “I want my players to continue to improve and gradually lower our scoring average.”

Coach Marvelli also believes his team can take a step and become a top tier team in the Iowa Conference.

“I believe we have an opportunity to be one of the best teams in the Iowa Conference,” said Marvelli. “With our growth as a team we can have a successful spring season.”

As the Simpson women’s golf team prepare for another spring season, the Storm will look forward to the dominant play of senior Jennifer Gaffney who helped guide the Storm to a third place finish at the IIAC championship.

The Storm also garnered second place finishes at the Buena Vista Invitational Aug.31 and Sept.1, 2012 and a third place performance on Sept.21 and Sept.22 at the Mount Mercy Invitational.

With the departure of head coach Noel Knock, the Simpson women golf team are currently searching for a new head coach. Interim Director of Athletics Brian Niemuth will conduct the search for a new head coach.

Junior Molly Hill is one of many golfers who are excited to meet their new head coach.

“I’m excited to meet our new coach and learn what is in store for us this season,” said Hill.

The Simpson men’s golf team begin their spring season Mar. 2 at Port St. Lucie Florida. The women begin play at the Ashford Invitational in Riverside, Iowa Apr. 5.