A Season of Growth for Sooners

June 20, 2008

NORMAN, Okla. – From the start, there was a feel from within the program that this Oklahoma women's golf team was special.

Coming into the season, OU hadn't won a tournament since 2004. When all was said and done, the 2007-08 Sooners had captured three tournament championships and qualified for the NCAA West Regional, their first appearance in the NCAA Regional Championships since 2004.

“This has been a year of growth for this team,” OU head coach Carol Ludvigson explained. “We had a few wins that really proved how good this team was this year. This has been a team that motivated one another and encouraged one another along the way.”

Fall Season

It all began at the season-opener, the Badger Invitational in Madison, Wis., Sept. 9-10. Despite not having any players on the roster that had experienced a tournament victory, the Sooners were confident.

“This is a good tournament to start with,” Ludvigson said before the tournament. “We think we have the ability to win as a team and have any individual win as well."

And win they did.

After racing to an 11-stroke lead after 36 holes, OU brought home the Badger Invitational Championship when the final round was cancelled due to heavy rain.

"We are very excited about this win," Ludvigson said after the victory. "Things were going well today but since there was so much rain we couldn't finish. The team played so well and fought for every shot.”

The Sooners' winning score of 594 (+18) at University Ridge Golf Course marked the team's 36th tournament championship in school history.

Three weeks later at the University of Colorado Heather Farr Memorial Invitational (Oct. 1-2) in Boulder, Colo., OU fired a 289 (+1) in the first round to take a four-stroke lead. The Sooners entered the final round in a tie for the lead with host Colorado after posting a 299 (+11) on the second 18.

With a team score of 301 (+13) in the final round, OU earned a runner-up finish at Omni Interlocken Golf Course. Colorado defeated the Sooners by four shots, narrowly keeping Ludvigson's squad from its second consecutive victory.

At the Jeannine McHaney/Audrey Morehead Invitational a week later (Oct. 8-9) in Lubbock, Texas, the Sooners found themselves in position for a victory yet again.

OU's team score of 312 (+20) on the first 18 put the Sooners in a tie for second through one round. After carding a 311 (+19) in the second round, Ludvigson's squad sat in fourth place with 18 holes to go, only 14 strokes out of the lead.

The Sooners saved their best round for last, posting a 304 (+12) on the final 18 at the Rawls Course. While not enough for the victory, it did give OU a fourth-place finish, its third top-four in as many fall season events.

“We are very close to playing great golf,” Coach Ludvigson said after the McHaney Invitational.

At the Sooners' next stop, the Price's “Give 'Em Five” Intercollegiate Oct. 15-17 in Las Cruces, N.M., they displayed that great golf in a dramatic, come-from-behind victory.

OU opened the tournament with a 300 (+12) on the first 18 holes at the New Mexico State University Golf Course, good enough to sit tied for second after one day. However, the Sooners fell back on day two, falling into fifth place, three strokes back with just 18 holes to play.

Battling a stiff wind on the final day, Oklahoma battled back to not only win, but take the victory by four shots over Idaho with a final-round 297 (+9).

“The wind was blowing like 30 or 40 mph, but thankfully since we're Oklahoma girls we know how to play in it,” junior Kendall Dye said after the Sooners' second championship of the season. “That really helped us out."

With two tournament championships, a runner-up and a fourth-place finish, the Sooners' fall season could be deemed a success. Ludvigson was pleased with her team's performance, and showed high hopes going into the spring.

“This team is good and has the ability to be very good,” Coach Ludvigson said after the conclusion of the fall season.”

Spring Season

After back-to-back tied for 11th place finishes to begin the spring season (at the Central District Invitational in Parrish, Fla., and the Lady Puerto Rico Classic in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico), OU traveled south of the Red River to Austin, Texas, for the Betsy Rawls Longhorn Invitational March 17-19.

The Sooners battled a strong wind on the first day, carding a 320 (+32) to put them tied for seventh through 18 holes. The second round was cancelled due to heavy rain and standing water on the greens.

In the final round, OU posted a team score of 331 (+43) to finish in ninth place.

With two regular season tournaments and the Big 12 Championship remaining on the schedule, OU needed to make some noise down the stretch to solidify its position for the NCAA Regional Championships.

At the MountainView Collegiate in Tucson, Ariz., March 29-30, the Sooners made a lot of it.

OU came out firing on all cylinders in the first round, tying a school record for low 18 holes with a 1-under-par 287 en route to racing into a tie for first place. The record-tying performance included senior Heather Wright posting a three-under-par 69 and Dye shooting a 2-under-par 70.

With a 302 (+14) in the second round, the Sooners remained in a tie for first place with 18 holes to play. Powered by its seniors, Wright and Kelly Jacques, OU carded another 302 in the final round to finish in a tie for third place with Texas Tech.

Wright posted a career-best third-place finish at 218 (+2) and Jacques tied for 11th with a score of 221 (+5). Dye tied for 20th at 224 (+8) to give the Sooners three top 20s.

Oklahoma didn't quite get victory number three in Tucson, but the Sooners had another top-three finish and a lot of confidence heading into their home tournament, the Susie Maxwell Berning Classic in Norman April 6-7.

"We are excited to play at our home event," Ludvigson said heading into the Susie Maxwell. "We look forward to a team and individual win."

It had been four years since OU last won the Susie Maxwell Berning Classic, but there was a lot of reason to believe that 2008 would be the year the Sooners would come through at home. With two wins already and three other top fours, this team had shown the ability to win.

Putting together their best three-round tournament of the season and leading wire-to-wire, the Sooners did it again, winning the Susie Maxwell for the first time since 2004.

OU carded a 295 (+7) in the first round, racing to a six-stroke lead over Wisconsin. The Sooners went even lower on the second 18, posting a four-over par 292 to hold a seven-shot lead over Arkansas-Little Rock heading into the final day.

The wind picked up in true Oklahoma fashion in the final round, but the Sooners fought through it to shoot a team score of 298 (+10). All told, OU had its third tournament championship of the season, a four-stroke win over Arkansas Little Rock.

"It's huge, going into the Big 12 Championship especially," Ludvigson said after the victory. "And just building some confidence out here. We always know that we can put three good rounds together, and we did it.”

To add to the excitement of a team victory, Dye captured the individual championship in Norman as well. With rounds of 70 (-2), 71 (-1) and 73 (+1), the junior earned co-medalist honors with Oral Roberts' Christy Carter with a 2-under-par tournament score of 214.

"It feels pretty sweet," Dye said afterwards of the team and individual victories. "It's been a good last two days. I'm really proud of my team. We really pulled through.”

Jacques, playing at home for the final time, finished in seventh place at 219 (+3). Freshman Ellen Mueller tied for 10th with a three-round score of 222 (+6), giving the Sooners three top-10 finishes to go along with the team championship.

With a berth in the Regional tournament virtually locked up, OU headed to the Big 12 Championship at Karsten Creek in Stillwater, Okla., April 25-27, looking to improve its position and bring home a conference title.

The Sooners started slow at Karsten Creek, shooting a 335 (+47) in the first round. Standing in a tie for ninth place through 18 holes, OU needed to step up, and Ludvigson's squad did so in each of the next two days.

On what was dubbed “moving day”, the Sooners shaved 20 shots off their first day score with a 315 (+27) in the second round. The improvement moved OU up to sixth place with one round to go. Down only 14 strokes to third-place Missouri, the Sooners were in position to make another big move on the final day.

Oklahoma posted the second-best round in the final round, another 315 that gave the Sooners a fifth-place finish. OU ended the championship just six shots behind fourth-place Missouri and only seven back of third-place Texas.

Dye (9th), Jacques (T15th) and Mueller (T21st) each earned top-25 finishes at the Big 12 Championship, leading the Sooners.

A day after placing fifth at the Big 12 Championship, OU learned of its regional destination. The Sooners' success earned them a bid to the NCAA West Regional Championship in Lincoln, Calif., just outside of Sacramento. The West Regional took place at the Orchard Course at Lincoln Hills Golf Club May 8-10.

OU began the first round of the West Regional very strong, reaching as high as second place in the middle of the first 18 holes. The Sooners cooled off a bit, ending the first day in a tie for 12th place with a score of 299 (+11).

With a 303 (+15) in the second round, OU slipped into a tie for 15th place with 18 holes to play.

The University of Oklahoma women's golf team concluded its spectacular 2007-08 season with a 303 in the final round of the NCAA West Regional. The Sooners finished in 15th place.

Although they didn't reach the NCAA Finals in Albuquerque, N.M., the Sooners had plenty to be proud of. Reaching the Regional Championships for the first time since 2004 was the big goal coming into the season, and Ludvigson's squad put that goal into action and conquered it en route to recording one of the greatest seasons OU women's golf has ever seen.

A Closer Look at the OU Women's Golfers

Jacques had the best season of her Sooner career in 2007-08, recording eight top-15 finishes in 11 OU tournaments. She twice tied a career-low 18 holes with rounds of 71 in the first round of the Badger Invitational and in the first round of the CU Heather Farr Memorial Invitational.

She posted her best career 36-hole tournament score at the rain-shortened Badger Invitational, carding a 149 (+5). She carried a 75.87 season scoring average, tops on the team. Jacques completed her OU career with a 76.93 career scoring average, ranking her fourth all-time in school history.

She finished with 20 top-10 finishes, 10 top 10s and three top fives in her phenomenal career. It is safe to say that Jacques is one of the best golfers to ever play at Oklahoma.

“With many top ten finishes for Kelly, I was glad to see her really learn about her game and herself, which will be beneficial in her next step to turning pro,” Ludvigson said of her senior superstar.

Wright closed her Oklahoma career with a couple career-bests during her senior campaign. In the first round of the MountainView Collegiate, she fired a career-low 18 holes with a 3-under par 69. It was also the low round of the season for all Sooner golfers.

She went on to finish in third place at the MountainView Collegiate, a career-best tournament finish. Her three-round score of 218 (+2) at the MountainView was also a career-best for a 54-hole tournament. Wright had five top-25 finishes this season, including two top 10s.

She completed her Sooner career with eight top-20 finishes, three top 10s and two top fives. Her final career stroke average of 78.09 leaves her seventh place in OU history.

“Heather unfortunately struggled with injuries this year that held her back from shooting the scores consistently that she is capable of,” Ludvigson said of her senior leader. “But this did not deter her from being a great team leader in her confidence and her work ethic.”

Of the nine OU golfers on the roster, seven return next season, and Ludvigson was pleased with the progress of her young team.

“This was an exciting year for me to see the development of the other members of our team that will be returning,” Coach Ludvigson explained.

Dye emerged as a true leader for the Sooners by the end of the season, and certainly looks to take that role to the next level as the senior leader in 2008-09. This season, she captured her first career tournament championship at the Susie Maxwell Berning Classic with a 2-under-par winning score of 214.

At the Big 12 Championship, she earned a spot on the All-Tournament Team with a ninth-place finish. She tied for second place at the Badger Invitational, equaling her best career tournament finish at the time. Her two-round score of 148 was her best career 36-hole tournament.

Dye finished the season with seven top-20 finishes, three top 10s, two top fives at the win at the Susie Maxwell. She had a 76.03 scoring average for the season, second on the team behind Jacques. Dye's career scoring average of 76.90 ranks second all-time at OU. She trails only Lisa Meldrum (75.14) with her senior year remaining to make a run at the top spot.

“Kendall I thought had a breakthrough year,” Ludvigson said of her top returner for next season. “One that maybe she wasn't pleased with, but I think when we look back to this next year she will see the growth and maturity that she accomplished this year in her game. “

Mueller had one of, if not the best freshman season in Oklahoma women's golf history. She may have saved her best for last, finishing tied for 22nd place in the strongest field of the season, at the NCAA West Regional. Her three-round score of 221 (+5) left her three shots out of a trip to the NCAA Championship as an individual.

She also shot her career-low 18 holes in the first round of the West Regional, an even-par 72. She had a scoring average of 76.90, third on the team. The 76.90 as a career average is the same as Dye's, who is second-all time. Mueller will be eligible for the career stroke average list by the end of her sophomore season.

She started all 11 tournaments for the Sooners this season, recording seven top-25s, four top 20s, two top 10s and a top five. Her best 54-hole tournament score was 222 (+6) at the Susie Maxwell, where she finished tied for 10th place. Mueller's best tournament finish was tied for second in her first-ever collegiate event, the Badger Invitational.

“Ellen was really a shot in the arm for the team,” Ludvigson said of the spectacular freshman. “How exciting it was to see a freshman lead the Sooners at the Regional tournament. She has the ability and the mind and the passion to be one of the best players I have ever coached. Missing going to nationals by only three shots … she has no idea how difficult it is to be that close as an individual and as a freshman.”

Five Sooners battled throughout the year to take hold of the number five spot in the lineup. In the last three tournaments, it was sophomore Ryanne Elmer who filled that void.

Elmer recorded a career-low 18 holes with an even-par 72 in the final round of the MountainView Collegiate. She also finished a career-best tied for 31st at the MountainView, and her three-round score of 226 (+10) was also a career best for a 54-hole tournament.

Junior Staci Smoot recorded a career-best 36-hole tournament score at the Betsy Rawls Longhorn Invitational with a 164 (+20).

Sophomore Chelsey Collins tied for 14th at the Jeannine McHaney/Audrey Morehead Invitational, the best finish of her career and her third career top 20. She also posted her best career 36-hole tournament score with a 168 (+24) at the Badger Invitational.

Sophomore Andrea Sellmeyer fired her low round of the season at the Susie Maxwell, a 1-over-par 73 in the final round.

Senior Sydney Lee completed her OU career at the Susie Maxwell, tying for 80th place at 249 (+33).

“Looking at the rest of our squad, I feel so blessed to have so much depth and excitement in Ryanne, Andrea, Chelsey, and Staci,” Coach Ludvigson said. “I know they are already chomping at the bit to come back and accomplish many of their individual goals as well as team goals. This will be a good summer for them to work hard and come in ready to go in the fall.”

OU's season featured many great accomplishments, both as a team and individually. Off the course, Dye, Jacques and Lee were all named Academic All-Big 12 First Team. The group was very well-rounded, a testament to the job Ludvigson has done and what she will be able to do in the future with such as young nucleus. Joining the Sooners in 2008-09 will be Brooke Collins, the younger sister of Chelsey, and Kelly Short. Both are expected to have the ability to make an early impact.

“I think we had one of the strongest teams this past year, and it seems to be getting even stronger looking into next year,” Ludvigson explained.

“Most of all, this team displayed heart and soul for the game, for one another, and for the University. I am extremely proud to have coached them, and honored to be a part of their team.”

The Sooners knew from the beginning, and when it was all said and done, everyone else found out that the 2007-08 Oklahoma women's golf team was something special.

Looking Back on 2007-08 and Ahead to 2008-09

Kendall Dye:
“This season I experienced a lot of “firsts” with my team. It was my first time at OU to capture a team win, and we ended up having three. I eventually had my first collegiate win as an individual at the Susie Maxwell. It was a first for this team to make it to Regionals, which is something that we always wanted to achieve. I loved playing with this group of girls because we shared a strong desire to win every tournament we played in. The team was always filled with laughter and love for one another and I think that sense of team unity drove us to have so many achievements. With all the success we had this year, I feel that it is a stepping stone for the coming years. I can't believe I'm heading into my senior season, but I know that I want to end my OU career at the NCAA Tournament. I'm excited for the returning players and looking forward to seeing our new talent come in and play right away. This year has been a special one to me because of all the memories my teammates and coaches made, both on and off the course.”

Ellen Mueller:
“Looking back on the season, it can be summed up as a success. At the beginning of the season we set our goal to reach Regionals and have a chance at Nationals. Although we didn't end our season quite how we wanted, we did make it to Regionals and moved up in the national rankings. It was fun all season to see everyone checking our rankings and seeing how we moved up. With three wins and many great tournaments it was a great season, and I can't wait to see how the next one goes. It will be hard to replace our seniors, and the rest of the team has a huge gap to fill.”

University of Oklahoma Athletics

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