By GAVIN MENDOZA, Senior Reporter
The Northwestern golf team started its season in February with a new coach and big expectations for the season.
Coach David Rogers is the first-year head coach of the men’s and women’s golf teams. He said he is happy with the season so far and what the future looks like.
“I’m very proud of the way they all fought through the tough conditions in Owasso because we had some pretty chilly temperatures and lots of wind,” Rogers said.
The teams were able fight through these conditions, and Rogers said this speaks to how each player can have a good day.
“The great thing about our teams is that we have players who can at anytime go post a great round,” Rogers said.
Each team has seen players take their games to new levels and grow into leaders, Rogers said.
“Leadership roles for a team are not just given out, they are earned, and I feel as if there are a few members on each team that are close to moving into that role,” Rogers said.
Both teams have experienced practice troubles because of weather, but they have been able to get practices in lately with the nicer weather days.
“These teams can go as far as they want to,” Rogers said. “I am excited to be here at Northwestern, and I look forward to seeing these golfers take their games to the highest level it can.”
Team member Cade Seymour, a sophomore criminal justice major, said he thinks the season has gotten off to a good start, and everyone is working to get better.
“All the guys continue to grind it out each and every tournament and fight for each other,” Seymour said.
Players continue to work on the course and do their best to improve their scores.
“I think we all have some work to do out on the course, but we all know what we need to fix,” Seymour said.
The sophomore said that, with some consistency, he thinks the team is near a breakout season.
“All we need is some consistency, and I think we will see a big decrease in score coming soon,” Seymour said.
Seymour said Rogers has been a great leader.
“Every day, he is always pumped at practice or before tournament rounds, and he is always by your side when you need him at tournaments or helping you get better at practice,” Seymour said.
Team member Samantha Friday, a junior computer science major, said she is happy with the team’s play.
“This season has gone very well for the women’s golf team,” she said. “We have been able to improve our team score at every tournament this semester.”
Friday said she is happy with how the team as dealt with weather-related issues.
“Having the ability to fight the first day weather and put up some decent scores was something that stuck out this last tournament,” Friday said.
Like Seymour, Friday said Rogers is the best leader on the team and someone who lifts the team up.
“He is a coach that knows we have the potential, and he understands that golf is also more than just the scores,” Friday said. “He has been a huge help to our team’s motivation and keeping in a positive space before and after a round.”
Friday also added that Tim Lauderdale, who helps with the team, has been a big help.
Friday explained how she thinks the team is improving and can go into the last two tournaments strong.
“We already have showed what we are capable of individually, and I think it is time to show everyone what we can do as a team,” Friday said.