Monmouth Women's Golf Gets a New Look for Fall

by Dan Nolan

Monmouth, IL (08/26/2019) — It's a new season in more ways than one for the Monmouth College women's golf team as the Fighting Scots begin their fall campaign this weekend with a new coach and a new conference affiliation.

PGA teaching professional Cory Bizarri, who has led Monmouth's men's team for three seasons, took the lead of the women's program when former coach Ashley Sims took a position at DePaul University. The Scots will also debut this fall in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference after the Midwest Conference discontinued sponsorship of the sport.

"I'm really looking forward to working with this group and playing in a new conference," said an enthusiastic Bizarri. "We've got a lot of talent back, and I truly believe we have a chance to compete for the SLIAC title in our first year. You're never really sure what the other teams have coming in, but I know our group is capable of playing even better than last year when they were breaking records left and right. They've handled the transition to a new coach well and they're as excited about the season as I am."

The excitement is fueled by the return of three-time All-Midwest Conference performer Haley Hoekstra (Manville, Ill./Woodland). The senior posted a record-low 76 as a sophomore and flirted with that score last season on her way to a third all-league honor.

"Haley is a steady player and a team leader which is what you would expect from a senior," praised Bizarri. "I'm looking for more of the same from her. She's very athletic and just needs to polish her swing a little. We won't have to change much. She's really good now, but still has some untapped potential."

Junior Mamie Ambrosch (Metamora, Ill./Metamora) is just a few tenths of a stroke behind Hoekstra's career average, giving Bizarri a solid 1-2 punch.

"Mamie is surprisingly strong and a steady presence on the course," said Bizarri. "She's got a good head on her shoulders and does a great job managing her game. She thinks about strategy and course management. That's why she's such a consistent scorer. Mamie has always had a little fade in her ball striking. We adjusted her grip and she's hitting the ball much better, farther and straighter. I expect her to play much better."

Two sophomores - Dani Freeman (Normal, Ill./West) and Morgan Bemis (Alton, Ill./Alton) - also figure into Bizarri's bright outlook. The tandem returns as the team's No. 3 and 4 scorers from last season.

"Dani is another very steady player," reported Bizarri. "She'll improve as we get the season going. Morgan is a totally different player this fall than she was at this time last year. She's talented and gotten herself stronger. She was under par in one of our early practices and I only expect her to get better as the season progresses. It's obvious she put some time in on her game over the summer."

Seniors Kaniesha Whatley (Nashville, Tenn./Hume Fogg Magnet) and Jessi Haines (Mahomet, Ill./Mahomet-Seymour) round out the Scots' returning six. The four-year team members will be key cogs in the Scots' quest for a league crown.

"Kaniesha has a lot on her plate," explained Bizarri. "She won't be able to practice as much as she'd like, but she's a hard worker and will give us her best effort. Jessi has already made good strides. She has the potential to be a really nice player. She has mid-80 potential. We'll need to have that cushion at No. 5 and 6 if someone is off their game on any particular day."

It will be a busy fall and spring in Bizarri's inaugural season as he guides both the men's and women's teams, but he's quick to point out the college made the double duty attractive to him and beneficial to his teams.

"I can't thank the administration enough for allowing me to hire an assistant coach," said Bizarri of Scott Weber, the former golf coach at Monmouth-Roseville High School. "With both teams in season at the same time, we can now guarantee having a coach at both locations and at practice. Coach Weber is very knowledgeable about the game, a fantastic player and, perhaps most importantly, relates very well with the kids. Our golf program is in a really good spot right now."

The women open play this weekend at the Highland Classic, giving Bizarri his first look at his new squad in a competitive setting. The team is coming off a record-setting season in which the team shattered the season scoring average with a 345, a score Bizarri thinks can go even lower.

"I'm excited to be working with the women," said Bizarri. "They have a lot of talent yet to come to the surface. It's really a case of polishing their swings and watching their games blossom. When the administration asked me if I wanted to coach the women, too, I didn't hesitate a second. They're really good now and they're only going to get better. It's exciting to see just how good they can be."