Michigan Golf Journal September 2021

Recharged with a full complement of young guns – that’s the storyline for the Central Michigan women’s golf team in 2021-22. Third-year coach Jim Earle set the program on a course of consistent improvement and sustained success when he took the job in 2018 and the Chippewas will look to make another step this year, after their program was resurrected in 2014-15. After COVID-19 cancelations, the Chippewas returned to the course in the spring of 2021 and showed just how far the program has come, winning two match-play events and placing fifth and then third in two stroke-play tournaments, both of which comprised 11 teams. Earle has stocked his roster, all eight of whom are underclassmen, with talent and depth, all of whom have proven track records of junior success, both in Europe and the U.S. The roster features two Spaniards, a Canadian, aMalaysian, and an Austrian along with three Americans. CMU Golf is set to expand in 2022-23 when the university adds a men’s program that was discontinued after the 1984-85 season. “Men’s golf will fit well into our sport offerings,” CMU Vice President/Director of Athletics Amy Folan said in a release. “We are fortunate to have so many fantastic golf courses locally and statewide which will make this an attractive program for prospective student-athletes.” Season Preview: WesternMichigan By Adam Bodnar The WMU women’s golf team is excited for its first full season (Covid- shortened last year) under second year head coach Kim Moore. WMU will be led by senior Brooke Gibbons (Lapeer, Mich.), who enters the season off of a career-best junior campaign with a career-low average of 78.42 in 12 total rounds of golf, leading the team. Western Michigan will also get leadership from veterans Fiona Khaing, Imogen Courtney and Alyssa Fish (Clarklake, Mich.). Freshmen Madeline Blum (Marysvillle, Mich.) and Ally Barth will add to the depth and competitiveness within the program. MGJ Season Preview: Central Michigan By Andy Sneddon College Corner