By Robert McKinney, Assistant Athletics Director, Communications, (503) 370-6110

SALEM, Ore. -- The Willamette University women's golf team has four returning sophomores in 2020-21. All four golfers entered last season with no college golf experience, but all four improved greatly during the year.

All four first-year women's golfers improved by at least 30 strokes from their high round of 2019-20 to their low round. In addition, the team had a difference of 78 strokes between its high round and low round of the season.

Alexis Schwartz (Sr./So., Ontario, OR/Ontario HS) led the way as she improved by 39 strokes from a high round of 147 in the second round of the Culturame Classic on Oct. 6 to a low round of 108 in the second round of the Puget Sound Invitational on March 8. Meghan Hook (Jr./So., Sunnyvale, CA/Homestead HS) lowered her score by 37 points. Her high score was 133 on Oct. 6 and her low score was 96 in the first round of the Puget Sound Invitational on March 7.

Kiki Fierstos (Jr./So., Redmond, OR/Redmond HS) reduced her score from a 146 in the second round of the Northwest Conference Fall Classic on Oct. 13 to a 113 on March 8. Analyssa Ruiz (Sr./So., Keizer, OR/Blanchet Catholic School) improved from a score of 131 in the first round of the NWC Fall Classic on Oct. 12 to a 101 on March 8.

Willamette's high team score in 2019-20 was 457 in the second round of the Culturame Classic. The low score was 379 just over five months later in the second round of the Puget Sound Invitational.

"I think the world of these ladies, and what they have accomplished in so little time," Willamette Head Coach Patrick Daugherty said. "Three out of the four returners just started playing golf last September with little to no golf background. The fact that they can go play in a tournament, compete, know the rules, keep score, do all the things that encompass college golf, is just awesome."

"We have improved a lot," said Ruiz. "I can tell that Coach Daugherty is very proud of us and all the hard work we have been putting in."

"I never picked up a golf club until my first day of practice last year, so I'd say -- skill wise -- that I improved in all areas," Fierstos said.

All four of the golfers played a different sport before competing in college golf. Hook, Fierstos, and Ruiz arrived at Willamette as sophomore players in 2018-19. Hook played golf in high school but took a break to focus on softball. Schwartz was a member of the WU women's tennis team in 2017-18 and 2018-19.

"We've been able to build this from the ground up because of these ladies' commitment to practice and learning," Daugherty commented. "Because all of them come to the program with having competitive experience in other sports, they bring that same passion and drive to get better to the golf course. What I love the most, is there just isn't any quit in any of them. There can be some rough days out there on the course ... it can be cold, wet, windy, or just an off day ... but they keep coming back. Their drive is unstoppable."

"They practice every day on the range, working on mechanics, at the short game facility working on chipping, and putting skills, and work through all the drills I set up for them," Daugherty noted. "They get out on the course a few days a week to reinforce everything they've been working on."

"At first I was really nervous to join the golf team," Fierstos said. "I've competed in numerous sports throughout my life, but for the majority of it I dedicated my athletic experiences to softball. Coming from a sport that I had played for so long and transitioning into a completely unfamiliar sport was really difficult at times because it was so easy to compare myself to my past athletic performances, and get down on myself when I didn't perform well. However, golf has helped me learn a great deal about patience and has taught me that if I would've given up or let fear or unfamiliarity stop from trying something new that I would've missed out on some really great experiences and life lessons.

The result has been tremendous improvement by the golfers. Each bit of improvement has led to increased confidence, which helps create additional improvement. Commitment remains strong, and the string of positive accomplishments keeps the student-athletes focused.

"Everybody fed off of each other's improvement, but personally when I was in 'a slump' their successes really motivated me to improve my game," Fierstos commented. "When my teammates were doing well, it was ... somebody else in my shoes (just learning to golf, taking part in their first golf tournament, etc) could be successful, which affirmed that I was capable of success too. Additionally, I believe that every athlete wants their teammates to be successful, so even if my day on the course wasn't the best, I always had something/somebody to celebrate."

There were plenty of accomplishments for Fierstos, Hook, Ruiz, and Schwartz during the 2019-20 season as they learned the game of golf and increased their skills. Then COVID-19 stopped the season just over a week into March.

"The season progressed very well, both in our team dynamic and my personal growth as a golfer," Fierstos noted. "I was seeing a lot of strokes off of my older scores and everybody really supported each other through the highs and the lows. Since last season came to a close due to COVID-19, I was fortunate enough to golf a good amount in the summer. One of my jobs was at a golf course, so I pretty much spent all summer out there either working or golfing."

Daugherty has been thrilled by the commitment of the women's golfers to learn the sport and to keep improving. Their work ethic has been an inspiration to the coach.

"They have all exceeded any expectation that I had, and they have allowed me to coach and push them maybe even beyond what they thought was capable," Daugherty said. "Student-athletes like them make going to work every day a gift, an opportunity to be a better coach every day. I am not just proud of them, I am grateful. They pull my very best potential out every time we are together whether it is at practice, during a tournament, road trips, dinners, you name it."

For the golfers, it's been great to be part of a team making strides in practice and during tournaments. Working together has made a difference in each golfer's ability to develop their skills.

 "I think that our progress is really awesome. Because the majority of our team is just starting golf, our progress really is something to be proud of. I'm excited to see what improvement this season will bring," Fierstos said.

"I hope that telling my experience helps somebody else and influences them to put themselves out there even if it's scary," Fierstos said. "All it takes is a little push and somebody to believe in you. I'm extremely thankful to have a coach and teammates that believe in me and help push me to be better every day. "