Bruins Eager for Third Season after Completing Strong Second Year

09/14/2008 3:45 PM - article care of Blair Cash - George Fox University

Women's Golf
2008-2009 Season Preview

NEWBERG, Ore. - With some outstanding improvement that resulted in four tournament team wins in only their second year of existence behind them, the George Fox University Bruins are eagerly anticipating their third season of women's varsity golf competition during the 2008-09 year.

Head coach MaryJo McCloskey could not be happier with the Bruins' progress over their first two seasons. "Our first win at our own invitational in the fall surprised a lot of people," the coach recalled. "However, it was actually our third-place finish at the Northwest Conference Fall Classic (finishing ahead of 2007 conference champion Puget Sound) that caught most people off guard and let everyone know that we had a good team.

"It's interesting because I think our team has motivated the entire conference. The level of play is improving and girls are working hard because they know that the competition level has been turned up a notch. No one wants to lose to a program that hasn't been around very long."

The Bruins went on to win a small tournament in Phoenix in March and then a dual match at Bandon Dunes. However, the biggest upset of the season came when the Bruins scored their fourth first-place victory at the Tacoma Invitational in April. George Fox won by one stroke over Pacific University, which went on to win the NWC title a few weeks later. "It was a definite upset, and a huge step for our very young team," said McCloskey. "We now know that we can do it, and we just need to keep building consistency."

The Bruins lost three players from last year's team that was 36-18 overall in its 13 matches, including the team leader in stroke average, Brittany Zefkeles, who had an 88.42 average. Three players return, however, to give the team a solid nucleus, including this year's captain, Whitney Clunes (Jr., West Linn, Ore. / West Linn HS), and two who had outstanding seasons last year as freshman. Brianna Nap (So., Deer Park, Wash. / Deer Park HS) won two individual titles, while Mandy Cameron (So., Redmond, Ore. / Redmond HS) had the second-best scoring average last season (90.50) and was named to the National Golf Coaches Association NCAA Division III Women's All-American Scholar Team this summer.

One newcomer this season is Tacoma Community College transfer Sarah McCown (So., Centralia, Wash. / Centralia HS), who was initially contacted by McCloskey two years ago. "Sarah is a leader and an experienced player after playing in junior college," the coach commented, "and is very excited to have the opportunity to play in the Northwest Conference. I am thrilled to have her on board."

McCown played four years of varsity golf at Centralia and competed in the state tournament three times. During her junior and senior years, she placed in the top 20 at state (18th and 14th respectively). Both times, her team was undefeated in the Pacific 9 League and she was selected to the Washington Southwest Region All-League 1st Team.

The other newcomer is Kylea Monnot (Fr., Grants Pass, Ore. / North Valley HS), who lettered all four years at North Valley and qualified for state the past three years as an individual. She also earned a scholar-athlete award all four years. "Kylea has the ability to make a serious impact in her freshman season," declared McCloskey.

The Bruins look forward to their third year with a strong group of student-athletes and a great travel schedule, which includes trips to Monterey, Calif., and Bend, Ore., this fall, and Phoenix, Ariz., and Seattle, Wash., in the spring. The season gets under way Monday, Sept. 15, with the Willamette University Invitational at the Illahe Hills Country Club in Salem. Tee time is set for 12:00 noon.