Written by Chris O’Dell
The Lady Bison golf team recently concluded the 2008-2009 season by recording its second-best Gulf South Conference Championship score in the program’s four years. The 691 score was good for sixth place in the GSC Championship, which was held at the Hot Springs Country Club. Senior Brandi Watkins said the 691 score was a small part of the successful season this year.
“We had an extremely successful season this year,” Watkins said. “As a team, we set some new school records, won tournaments, had many second-place finishes and played very well overall.”
Watkins, a native of Canon City, Colo., led the Lady Bisons with an 84.3 strokes per round average on the season. She also set a record for the lowest ever score in a round by shooting a 76 in the second round of the Bison Fall Golf Classic. In the same tournament, Watkins set the record for the best two-round score by shooting a 155.
Those accomplishments helped Watkins get named to the All-Gulf South Conference Team, making her the first Lady Bison to ever be on the All-GSC first team. Senior Natalie Gay was also named to the All-GSC team. Gay was named to the second team after averaging 85.8 strokes per round this season. Watkins said she was thrilled about her and her teammate’s honor.
“It’s an exciting feeling to know that I made the team, especially in my final season of college golf,” Watkins said. “I have to say that I’m proud of Natalie for making the GSC team as well because I know she has put many hours of practice into her game, and she deserves this award.”
The Lady Bisons were under new leadership this year with Dr. Nicky Boyd in his first season as women’s golf coach. Boyd had previously been the men’s golf coach for the last 14 seasons before taking over the women’s team this year.
With a new coach and three freshmen on the team entering this season, Watkins said the future of the Lady Bison golf program is on the right track.
“After seeing all the talent on the team this year, I know that the seasons to come are going to be amazing,” Watkins said. “The girls on the team are full of so much potential, and I know that they are all hard workers and are going to accomplish great things.”
Harding had three second-place finishes this season and a first-place finish at the Lyon College Piper Invitational. Watkins said the successful season for the Lady Bisons capped off a great career at Harding.
“For me, I just feel extremely blessed to have been able to play golf all through college without any setbacks,” Watkins said. “I have such a passion for the game that I get excited just knowing that I get to play. All of the other stuff that comes with it is just icing on top of the cake.”
Watkins and Gay both placed in the top five in three different tournaments this season.
