Pioneer golf prepares for upcoming season
It’s a new season for the University of Wisconsin-Platteville’s women’s golf team, and with this new season comes a new coach as Matt Bohlken of Platteville was recently named the university's head women's golf coach.
PLATTEVILLE, Wis. –It's a new season for the University of Wisconsin-Platteville's women's golf team, and with this new season comes a new coach as Matt Bohlken of Platteville was recently named the university's head women's golf coach.
"This year is going to be a learning experience for all of us," Bohlken said, "but it's going to be fun."
Bohlken, who has nine years as a golf professional under his belt, most recently worked at Platteville Golf and Country Club. During this time, he worked with members of the Pioneer golf team and was up-to-date on their recent seasons.
Last year, the Pioneers finished fifth out of seven teams at the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championship. Although the Pioneers lost last season's top finisher, Stephanie Baribeau, to graduation, they are returning three key performers: sophomore Alysse Elko and seniors Lauren Frances and Lindsay Nietzel. In addition, four incoming freshmen are joining the Pioneers this year as well.
"We take five players to each meet, so this means that at least two of our freshmen will participate right away," Bohlken said. "They're going to dive right in and get the experience that we need them to."
Besides success on the course, Bohlken also hopes to teach the student-athletes a few life lessons outside of the game of golf.
"It's one thing to teach the game of golf," Bohlken said. "But I'm just as, if not more, concerned about teaching the team the nine core values: honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy and judgment. If we can turn the student-athletes into better people through golf, we've met our goal."
The Pioneers will report to campus on Aug. 28 for a week of golf camp. Their first meet is scheduled for Sept. 1 at Carthage College. A full list of meets can be found online at athletics.uwplatt.edu/sports/wgolf/2017-18/schedule.
Written by: Amanda Bertolozzi, Writer/Editor, Communications, 608-342-7121, bertolozzia@uwplatt.edu