Collin College Golf continues to improve going into the final weeks of its inaugural season. The men's and women's teams will play their district tournaments April 28-30.
The women's team, which is ranked 26th in the nation, has seen good individual performances by Johnna Johanson, Chadaporn "Am" Thaithiang, and Gabriela "Gabi" Russo Azuaje. Coach Cooper Schoolcraft believes that energy could extend into the district tournament, which also serves as the national qualifier.
"Johnna has absolutely turned it up," Schoolcraft said, noting that she won a tournament earlier this year and has continued to play good golf. She took ninth place at a tournament in San Angelo after turning an 87 on the first day into a 74 on the second round.
Johanson, who has dropped close to 10 shots from her fall average, finished second in the Western Women's Spring Invite in Snyder, facing off against players from No. 5 New Mexico.
"She was four shots back coming into the second round and ended up in second, losing by two strokes. She shot 78 and 74, and had four birdies in her final round yesterday," Schoolcraft said. "It was the first time this season she has carded two sub-eighty rounds. So, she's peaking at the right time to perform well at district this coming week."
Am also did well in the tournament. She shot a new personal best with an 80 and Schoolcraft believes she is close to being able to break into the seventies. She has improved four to five shots from her fall average.
Russo is also starting to play really well. Although she has struggled with some injuries, Schoolcraft said she has the potential to shoot mid-to-low eighties consistently.
"Everybody on the women's team has continued to improve. They are working hard, and the results are starting to show. Every week, they've gotten better and better and better.
The men's team finished 8th at the Blinn College Buccaneer Spring Invitational and 5th in the North Texas Junior College Athletic Conference Championship, April 14-16, led by Noel Bondesson, who is No. 77 in the nation.
"We fought through some really tough course conditions," Schoolcraft said. "We saw a lot of good things and saw some improvement in a lot of areas that we've been working hard on. We still have some things to get nailed down before we go into district this coming week."
Schoolcraft said he is pleased that the scoring averages are starting to come down and the team is "starting to get some stuff figured out around the greens."
He said the team is looking forward to seeing how it matches up at the district tourney, which is stacked with three of the top five teams in the nation and 10 of the top 20 players. He said their performance will be focused on setting goals for themselves and being the best they can on those days.
"You know, for us, it's not necessarily about going out and competing against that field," Schoolcraft said. "It's going to be about going out and seeing what we're capable of. It's about the goals we set for ourselves. If we happen to have a really good showing, that's a bonus. It's going to be all about improving and seeing if we can do what we think we're capable of."