Familiar face returns to lead Pioneer golf in 2022

Platteville, Wis.- The University of Wisconsin-Platteville women's golf team will open the 2022 fall portion of the schedule at the Augustana Invite at Highland Springs Golf Course in Rock Island, Illinois. When the Pioneers tee off in the two-day event starting Friday, Sept. 2, they will be under the watchful eye of Interim Head Coach Pete Reif.

Reif returned to the Pioneer coaching staff as the swing coach in the spring of 2022 after leading the program from its inception in 1999. Reif stepped away from his coaching duties in 2017 before returning in 2022.

"There has always been a feeling of connection because I played a role in this program's inception," Reif said about returning to the program. "To see the growth that has taken place since 2017 is amazing. We now have a simulator room and a 14 player roster this fall. What a credit to the administration, coaches, alumni, players and the parents that helped this program grow since my time." 

Reif led the Pioneers to success in his 18 years as head coach. He was named WIAC Coach of the Year in 2001, 2002 and 2010. The Pioneers had the highest finish (2nd) in the WIAC Championships in 2004, while Ahna Hendrickson had a school best finish of second in 2005.

Reif will have All-WIAC selection Markie Ash back for one final season. Ash finished third at the 2021 WIAC Women's Golf Championship (presented by Culver's) and won the UW-Whitewater Invite and tied for first at the UW-La Crosse Invite. 

"Markie has left her imprint on the Pioneer golf program," Reif said. "She has all the necessary golf tools to improve on her third-place finish. Markie has her goals set pretty high, she just needs the belief she can do it with the supporting cast of players and coaches."

In 16 rounds, Ash averaged 79.6 strokes per round, and a career best 73 at the UW-Whitewater Invite. Ash owns four of the top 10 lowest rounds in school history, while holding the school record for lowest 36-hole (147) and 54-hole total (233). 

Along with Ash, the Pioneers return seven golfers who saw action in 2021-22. Josie Alm averaged 91.5 strokes per round with a career best 82 at the Augustana Highland Golf Classic. She had a season and career best fifth place finish at the UW-Platteville Invite.

With the new simulator bay the Pioneer golfers can use year-round, Reif has seen a big improvement from last season.

"During the pre-season, I have noticed the work we did in the simulator last spring is showing positive results," Reif said. "We believe returners Josie Alm, Emily Veenhuis and Jada chang will improve on their 2021 stroke averages. We are pleased with the freshman class as well. With Markie and Emily graduating after the fall season, they are a welcome addition."

The Pioneers are scheduled to compete in five invitationals in the fall leading up to the 2022 WIAC Women's Golf Championships (presented by Culver's). Prior to the three-day championship that begins on Friday, Oct. 7, the Pioneers will also compete at the Loras College Invitational, UW-La Crosse Invitational, Viterbo University Invitational and the UW-Stevens Point Invitational.

The UW-Stevens Point Invitational will be held at Sentry World Golf Course in Stevens Point, Wisconsin. Sentry World will play host to the best senior golfers in the world as the host venue of the 2023 U.S. Senior Open.

To follow the Pioneers all season, visit www.Letsgopioneers.com for links for live stats, postgame recaps and links for the contests that are live streamed. Follow the official social media accounts of Pioneer Athletics on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.