Oxford Stories: Future Bright for Ole Miss Women’s Golf Team

The Ole Miss women’s golf season has come to a close with a 7th place finish in the SEC Women’s Golf Championship over the weekend. The Rebels, who have seen their struggles the last few seasons, posted their best finish in the event since 2010 under the leadership of new coaches Kory Henkes and Drew Belt.

It was year one of the Kory Henkes era, who took over as head coach last summer. It was a rebuilding year for the program, but Henkes is excited about the finish.

“This was unbelievable this week,” Henkes said. “If you would have told me at the beginning of the week to take a 900, I would have called it a day and said absolutely.”

Photo by Connor Hennessey

Seniors Alison Hovatter and Abby Newton performed well in their curtain call for the Red and Blue, posting a 1-over par 73 and 2-over par 74, respectively.

“Having those two has been huge for us,” Henkes said. “They are both great leaders, not only on the course, but in life in general. They’re both great students and work really hard each and every day doing everything we ask them to do.”

Though the seniors provided good scores in their final round for Ole Miss, the future is what excites everyone going forward. Ole Miss will return six players for 2016-17, and early indications are that junior Maria Toennessen of Grimstad, Norway; and freshman Martina Flori of Montecatini Terme, Italy will lead the way next season.

Toennessen, who performed well in the SEC Championship, can’t wait to hit the course again in the fall. “I am looking forward to next season,” Toennessen said. “I can’t wait because it’s going to be a lot of fun.”

Also returning for the Rebels will be Madisen Bentley of University Place, Washington; Laura Hoskin of Arrowtown, New Zealand; Kie Purdom of Lexington, Kentucky and Sofia Idoyaga of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Henkes has also added transfer Katy Harris from Mercer, who will be eligible in the fall.

The high notes of the 2015-16 season were six top-10 finishes and 10 new school records in the process. Ole Miss finished second in their home event, the Rebel Intercollegiate, and boasted the third best finish in the SEC Championship in school history.

With the returners coming back and the recruits who will join Ole Miss in the coming years, the coaching staff looks forward to the continued progress in Oxford for this squad. Rebel fans should jump on the bandwagon now, because the future is bright in the Whitten Golf Complex at the Ole Miss Golf Course.

Connor Hennessey can be reached at Cmhennes@go.olemiss.edu.

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