2017-18
GOLF
GOLF PREVIEW 2017-18
T
he Spring Hill College (SHC) men’s and women’s golf teams entered a new era three years ago when they transitioned from the NAIA to NCAA Division II, but men and women’s head coach Steve Hodges is pleased with the way his players have adapted to the changes. “The change in affiliation was exciting for our players,” Hodges says. “We have faced a new level of competition and tested ourselves against some of the top players in the nation while proving that we belong.” For the men’s side, Hodges welcomes back his most experience squad in many years as the team boasts three seniors in its roster. Sheldon Statkewicz from McGillToolen Catholic School in Mobile, Kalle Nilsson of Gavle, Sweden, and Thomas Ruli from Mandeville, La., all look to provide upperclassman leadership as the squad wraps up its final year of the NCAA transition process. Joseph Mraz of Woodstock, Ga., along with Thomas Allen and Hugh Corbin from Dallas, Texas, highlight a talented junior class that enjoyed a very successful sophomore campaign in 2016-17. A strong sophomore class includes Matthew Johnson from Stevenson, Ala., William Lee of Baton Rouge, La., Phil Later of Wilmette, Ill., Daniel Fontenot from McGill-Toolen, and transfer John Karcher from Detroit, Mich. Freshman Zach O’Toole of St. Louis, Mo., also joins the Badgers this season. “Statkewicz, Nisson, Ruli, Allen and Corbin appear to be our starting five in the early stages,” says Hodges. “But Karcher, Mraz and Johnsonwill give them serious competition before each tournament. Our starting five might be different at each match at the four and five slots this year because players will have to earn their slots each week.” The women moved into the Gulf South Conference (GSC) three years ago
and Hodges admits that there have been some adjustments. “The GSC is one of the top women’s golf conferences in the country,” he says. “We were used to solid competition coming from the Southern States Athletic Conference (SSAC), but the ladies in the GSC are even better. Our team has some great leadership, however, and we’ll compete in every event this year.” Spring Hill’s ladies are a very young squad this year with three seniors leading the charge. Sara Crinnion of St. Louis, Christine Grzesiak from Naperville, Ill., and Margaret Nelson of Kansas City, Mo., will be the team-leaders this year while juniors Alexa Shelton from St. Louis and Hannah Vines of Rogersville, Ala., will each play serious roles in the SHC fortunes this season. Savannah Ennis of Abita Springs, La., and Kayley Robinson from Faith Academy in Mobile form a duo of talented sophomore that earned the valuable experience in NCAA golf during 2016-17. Freshmen Claire Landry of Napoleonville, La., as well as LaurynAshly Herman of W.P Davidson High School in Mobile and Brooke Evans of Baton Rouge join the Badgers as welcome additions to the lineup. “Our starting five will be young this year,” says Allen. “Grzesiak, Vines, Ennis, and Nelson will be joined by Landry, but all of the women’s team will have a shot to make the line up at some point. Shelton, Robinson and Crinnion are right on their heels.” The new season brings new challenges for both Badger golf teams, but they are excited to open the year. “If we approach the game with the correct mindset, we’ll be fine,” says Hodges. “You have to stay focused and complete the task in front of you at the moment if you want to be successful day-in and day-out in this division.”
GENERAL FACTS
COACHING STAFF
Steve Hodges - Head Coach Men’s 22nd year, Men/ Women’s 10th year Steve Hodges begins his 22nd year as the head
coach of the men’s golf team at Spring Hill College. An A-12 member of the PGA of America elected in
1995, Hodges has led Spring Hill to nine appearances in NAIA National Championships and four Top Ten
finishes with four Region XIII Championships. In 1996, he mentored the
Men’s Individual NAIA National Champion, Keith Hoard. Hodges served as
the President of the NAIA Men’s Golf Coaches Association in 2002 and has been named NAIA Region XIII Coach of the Year four times. Hodges also
served as head coach of the SHC women’s golf team and resumed the reins of that team in September 2015.
Gabrielle Oubre - Assistant Coach 1st year Gabriella Oubre joined the Badger staff in January
2018. She is a Mobile native, prepping at Cottage Hill Christian as a golfer. In college, she played golf for
two years at Mississippi State University in Starkville
and two years at Troy University where she earned her Bachelor’s degree.
Institution: Spring Hill College City/State/Zip: Mobile, AL 36608 Founded: 1830 Enrollment: 1,500 Nickname: Badgers School Colors: Purple, white Home Facility: Spring Hill Golf Course Par 72; Yardage 6665; Rating 71.8; Slope 126 (men) Par 72; Yardage 5625; Rating 67.5; Slope 116 (women) Affiliation: NCAA Division II Conference (men): Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (women): Gulf South President: Christopher Puto, PhD ‘64 Athletic Director: Jim Hall Alma Mater: Grinnell College, 1995 Compliance: Chad LeBlanc Senior Woman Administrator: Allison Whitworth Faculty Athletic Representative: Steven Aldridge, Ph.D. Athletic Department Phone: 251-380-3485 Athletic Department Fax: 251-460-2196 Sports Information Director: Jim Stennett Alma Mater: Mississippi State, 1990 SID Phone: (251) 380-4468 SID Email: jstennett@shc.edu Athletics Web Site: www.shcbadgers.com Facebook: SHCBAGDERS Twitter: SHCBADGERS Instagram: SHCBADGERS
COACHING STAFF
Men’s/Women’s Head Coach: Steve Hodges Years at school: 22 Email: shodges@shc.edu Office Phone: (251) 380-4655 or 4699 Assistant Coach: Gabriella Oubre (1st year) Head Athletic Trainer: Dani Ellis, ATC Assistant Athletic Trainers: Abigail Hunt, ATC; James Scarbrough, ATC Office Phone: (251) 380-3493
WOMEN’S TEAM INFORMATION 2017-18 GSC Finish: 7th of 7 teams Golfers returning/lost/new: 7/0/3
MEN’S TEAM INFORMATION
2017-18 SIAC Finish: Ineligible due to NCAA transition Golfers returning/lost/new: 8/13/4
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WOMEN’S 2017-18 ROSTER Player
Class
Exp.
Hometown/Previous School(s)
Sr.
1L
St. Louis, Mo. / Incarnate Word Academy
Savannah Ennis
So.
1L
Abita Springs, La. / St. Scholastica Academy
Brooke Evans
Sara Crinnion
Fr.
HS
Baton Rouge, La. / Baton Rouge Magnet HS
Christine Grzesiak
Sr.
2L
Naperville, Ill. / Naperville North HS
LaurynAshly Herman
Fr.
HS
Mobile, Ala. / W.P. Davidson HS
Claire Landry
Fr.
HS
Napoleonville, La. / Assumption HS
Margaret Nelson
Sr.
2L
Kansas City, Mo. / Notre Dame de Sion
Kayley Robinson
So.
SQ
Mobile, Ala. / Faith Academy
Jr.
2L
St. Louis, Mo. / Oakville Senior HS
Hannah Vines
Jr.
2L
Rogersville, Ala. / Lauderdale Co. HS
Alexa Shelton
WOMEN’S 2016-17 RESULTS Sept. 12-13, 2016 – University of Montevallo Full Moon Invitational held at Timberline Golf Club, Calera, Ala. (Par 71) Team: 9th of 9 teams (343, 334, 667, +109) Individuals (out of 45): t21, Hannah Vines 77, 78, 155, +13; 39 Christine Grzesiak 85, 77, 162, +20; 42, Katelyn Wood 85, 84, 169, +27; 44, Margaret Nelson 96, 95, 191, +49; 45, Alexa Shelton 101, 103, 204, +62. Sept. 26-27, 2016 – Carey Collegiate Fall Classic held at Canebrake Country Club, Hattiesburg, Miss. (Par 72, Yardage 5919) Team: 7th of 8 teams (355, 352, 707, +64) Individuals (out of 45): t13, Hannah Vines 83, 78, 161, +17; 20, Christine Grzesiak 85, 82,167, +23; t38, Alexa Shelton 90, 98, 188, +44; 41, Margaret Nelson 97, 94, 191, +47; 43, Savannah Ennis 97, 100, 197, +53. Oct. 3-4, 2016 – Badger Shootout held at Spring Hill Golf Course, Mobile, Ala. (Par 72, Yardage 5810) Team: 5th of 6 teams (356, 340, 350, 1046, +182) Individuals (out of 33): t8, Christine Grzesiak 84, 82, 86, 252, +36; 13, Hannah Vines 88, 84, 84, 256, +40; 21, Katelyn Wood 93, 86, 89, 268, +52; t28, Alexa Shelton 98, 88, 91, 277, +61; t26, Margaret Nelson 91, 92, 96, 279, +63; 27, Savannah Ennis 93, 91, 100, 284, +68; 32, Kayley Robinson 102, 111, 106, 319, +103; 33, Sara Crinion 111, 119, 106, 336, +120. Oct. 17-18, 2016 –Union University Fall Invitational held at Jackson Country Club, Jackson, Tenn. (Par 72, Yardage 5995) Team: 4th of 4 teams (360, 343, 703, +127) Individuals (out of 21): t2, Christine Grzesiak 82, 80, 162, +18; 8, Katelyn Wood 86, 82, 168, +24; 14, Margaret Nelson 92, 91, 183, +39; 18, Savannah Ennis 100, 90, 190, +46; 19, Alexa Shelton 102, 92, 194, +50. Feb. 27-88, 2017 – Spring Hill College Badger Invitational held at Magnolia Grove Golf Course, Mobile, Ala. (Par 72, Yardage 6157) Team: 5th of 7 teams (349, 344, 346, 1039, +175) Individuals (out of 33): t10, Hannah Vines 82, 78, 83, 243, +27; t23, Savannah Ennis 86, 90, 84, 260, +44; 26, Christine Grzesiak 93, 80, 91, 264, +48; 28, Alexa Shelton 89, 96, 88, 273, +57; 31, Margaret Nelson 92, 98, 97, 287, +71.
Mar. 9, 2017 – vs. Simpson College at Spring Hill Golf Course, Mobile Ala., (Par 72, Yardage 5810) Team: 1st of 2 teams (371, +83) Individuals (out of 12): 1, Hannah Vines 87, +15; 2, Savannah Ennis 90, +18; 4, Alexa Shelton 95, +23; 6, Christine Grzesiak 99, +27; 7, Margaret Nelson 101, +29. Mar. 17-19, 2017 – Bama Beach Bash held at Gulf Shores Golf Club, Gulf Shores, Ala. (Par 71, Yardage 5945) Team: 9th of 9 teams (367, 356, 357, 1080, +228) Individuals (out of 51): t42, Hannah Vines 88, 80, 89, 257, +44; t42, Christine Grzesiak 93, 84, 80, 257, +44; 47, Savannah Ennis 95, 100, 90, 285, +72; 48, Alexa Shelton 91, 97, 98, 286, +73; 49, Margaret Nelson 98, 95, 103, 296, +83. Apr. 3-4, 2017 – Argonaut Invitational held at Marcus Pointe Golf Course, Pensacola, Fla. (Par 72, Yardage 6036) Team: 9th of 9 teams (371, 355, 726, +67) Individuals (out of 50): 34, Hannah Vines 84, 82, 166, +22; 43, Savannah Ennis 92, 91, 183, +39; t44, Margaret Nelson 99, 88, 187, +43; 47, Christine Grzesiak 96, 94, 190, +46; 49, Alexa Shelton 100, 97, 197, +53. Apr. 23-25, 2017 – Gulf South Conference Championships held at Callaway Gardens-Lake View, Pine Mountain, Ga. (Par 72, Yardage 5809) Team: 7th of 8 teams (349, 373, 359, 1081, +217) Individuals (out of 40): 26, Hannah Vines 81, 88, 85, 254, +38; 29, Savannah Ennis 86, 90, 86, 262, +46; 32, Christine Grzesiak 86, 97, 92, 275, +59; 36, Alexa Shelton 96, 98, 96, 290, +74; 38, Margaret Nelson 110, 103, 104, 317, +101.
WOMEN’S 2017-18 ROSTER
Sara Crinnion Senior
Savannah Ennis Sophomore
Brooke Evans Freshman
Claire Landry Freshman
Margaret Nelson Senior
Kayley Robinson Sophomore
Christine Grzesiak Senior
Alexa Shelton Junior
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LaurynAshly Herman Freshman
Hannah Vines Junior
MEN’S 2017-18 ROSTER Player Thomas Allen
Hugh Corbin
Daniel Fontenot
Matthew Johnson
John Karcher Phil Later William Lee
Class
Exp.
Hometown/Previous School(s)
Jr.
1L
Dallas, Texas/Jesuit College Prep
Jr.
1L
Dallas, Texas/Jesuit College Prep
So.
SQ
Mobile, Ala./McGill-Toolen Catholic HS
So.
1L
Stevenson, Ala./North Jackson HS
So.
TR
Detroit, Mich./University of Detroit Jesuit/Spring Arbor
So.
SQ
Wilmette, Ill./Loyola Academy
So.
SQ
Baton Rouge, La./Catholic HS
Joseph Mraz
Jr.
SQ
Woodstock, Ga./Blessed Trinity Catholic HS
Kalle Nilsson
Sr.
2L
Gavle, Sweden/Polhemskolan
Zach O’Toole
Fr.
HS
St. Louis, Mo./St. Louis University HS
Thomas Ruli
Sr.
2L
Mandeville, La./St. Paul’s
Sheldon Statkewicz
R-Sr.
1L
Mobile, Ala./McGill-Toolen Catholic HS
MEN’S 2016-17 RESULTS Sept. 12-13, 2016 – University of Montevallo Full Moon Invitational held at Timberline Golf Club, Calera, Ala. (Par 71, Yardage 6745) Team: 4th of 9 teams (281, 297, 578, +10) Individuals (out of 45): t7, Jesse Redman 67, 74, 141, -1; t11, Kalle Nisson 69, 73, 142 (Even); t25, Michael Abram 74, 74, 148, +6; t28, David Kirkman 71, 78, 149, +7; t36, Thomas Allen 76, 76, 152, +10. Sept. 26-27, 2016 – NAIA Battle on the Bayou held at TPC Louisiana, Avondale, La. (Par 72, Yardage 6902) Team: 1st of 7 teams (299, 300, 295, 894, +30) Individuals (out of 38): t2, Jesse Redman 76, 75, 71, 222, +6; t2, David Kirkman 74, 75, 73, 222, +6; t6, Kalle Nisson 74, 74, 77, 225, +9; t6, Thomas Ruli 75, 76, 74, 225, +9; 29, Michael Abram 79, 84, 81, 244, +28. Oct. 3-4, 2016 – Badger Shootout held at Spring Hill Golf Course, Mobile, Ala. (Par 72, Yardage 6665) Team: 1st of 6 teams (287, 301, 296, 884, +20) Individuals (out of 48): t1, Jesse Redman 72, 71, 73, 216, Even; t6, David Kirkman 74, 71, 75, 220, +4; t10, Kalle Nisson 69, 75, 79, 223, +7; t20, Thomas Ruli 72, 84, 73, 229, +13; t31, Matthew Johnson 79, 84, 75, 238, +22 Individuals: t6, Grant Luisi 72, 74, 73, 219, +3; t9, JT Evans 74, 76, 72, 222, +6; t10, Hugh Corbin 77, 73, 73, 223, +7; t13, James Guisinger 76, 75, 74, 225, +9; 24, Michael Abram 78, 80, 74, 232, +16; t25, Joseph Mraz 78, 79, 78, 235, +19; 38, Samuel Jones 79, 79, 85, 243, +27; 45, Ryan Carney 92, 81, 84, 257, +41; 46, John Culotta 86, 86, 88, 260, +44. Oct. 17-18, 2016 – MACJC Event #4 held at Grand Bear Golf Club, Saucier, Miss. (Par 72, Yardage 7072) Team: 2nd of 16 teams (291, 302, 593, +17) Individuals (out of 96): 1, Kalle Nisson 72, 71, 143, -1; t9, Jesse Redman 73, 75, 148, +4; t15, David Kirkman 73, 78, 151, +7; t15, JT Evans 73, 78, 151, +7; t75, Grant Luisi 75, 91, 166, +22 Individuals: t2, James Guisinger 73, 71, 144, Even; t21, Hugh Corbin 79, 74, 153, +9; t21, Michael Abram 75, 78, 153, +9; 78, Matthew Johnson 86, 81, 167, +23; t79, Thomas Allen 84, 84, 168, +24; DNF, Ryan Carney WD, 91; DNF, Samuel Jones WD, 82.
Feb. 18-19, 2017 – FSCC Elizabeth Kling Memorial held at Rock Creek Golf Course, Fairhope, Ala. (Par 72, Yardage 6920) Team A: 2nd of 13 teams (302, 296, 598, +22) Individuals (out of 65): t2, David Kirkman 75, 68, 143, -1; 4, Jesse Redman 74, 72, 146, +2; t25, Kalle Nisson 75, 80, 155, +11; t28, JT Evans 78, 78, 156, +12; t28, Hugh Corbin 78, 78, 156, +12 Team B: 7th of 13 teams (302, 319, 621, +31) Individuals: t18, Thomas Ruli 75, 77, 152, +8; t25, Grant Luisi 74, 81, 155, +11; t28, Michael Abram 76, 80, 156, +12; t36, James Guisinger 77, 81, 158, +14; t61, Matthew Johnson 86, 84, 170, +26. Feb. 27-28, 2017 – Spring Hill College Badger Invitational held at Magnolia Grove Golf Course, Mobile, Ala. (Par 72, Yardage 7212) Team: 2nd of 10 teams (292, 296, 292, 884, +20) Individuals (out of 52): t4, JT Evans 78, 70, 72, 220, +4; 8, David Kirkman 70, 75, 77, 222, +6; 12, Kalle Nisson 75, 74, 75, 224, +8; t14, James Guisinger 79, 77, 71, 227, +11; t14, Jesse Redman 73, 80, 74, 227, +11. Mar. 6-7, 2017 – Mississippi College Invitational held at Lake Caroline Golf Club, Madison, Miss. (Par 72, Yardage 6835) Team: 3rd of 13 teams (298, 298, 139, 735, +15) Individuals (out of 69): t5, Jesse Redman 76, 71, 34, 181, +1; t10, James Guisinger 72, 79, 32, 183, +3; t23, David Kirkman 75, 77, 36, 188, +8; t23, JT Evans 76, 75, 37, 188, +8; t38, Kalle Nilsson 75, 75, 43, 193, +13. Mar. 13-14, 2017 – Carey Collegiate Classic held at Canebrake Country Club, Hattiesburg, Miss. (Par 72, Yardage 6817) Team: 3rd of 9 teams (285, 297, 582, +6) Individuals (out of 61): 4, JT Evans 71, 69, 140, -4; t14, Kalle Nilsson 70, 76, 146, +2; 22, Jesse Redman 72, 77, 149, +5; t23, James Guisinger 75, 75, 150, +6; t33, David Kirkman 72, 81, 153, +9 Individuals: t11, Hugh Corbin 71, 74, 145, +1; t28, Michael Abram 75, 76, 151, +7; 32, Grant Luisi 77, 75, 152, +8; t33, Thomas Allen 77, 76, 153, +9; 56, Matthew Johnson 85, 81, 166, +22; 61, John Later 91, 86, 187, +43. Apr. 3-4, 2017 – Argonaut Cup held at Pensacola Country Club, Pensacola, Fla. (Par 72, Yardage 6815) Team: t4th of 14 teams (290, 296, 586, +10) Individuals (out of 78): t9, David Kirkman 70, 73, 143, -1; t15, James Guisinger 73, 73, 146, +2; t28, Kalle Nilsson 73, 75, 148, +4; t33, Jesse Redman 74, 75, 149, +5; 68, JT Evans 82, 78, 160, +16.
MEN’S 2017-18 ROSTER
Thomas Allen Junior
Hugh Corbin Junior
Matthew Johnson Sophomore
John Karcher Sophomore
Phil Later Sophomore
Joseph Mraz Junior
Kalle Nilsson Senior
Zach O’Toole Freshman
Thomas Ruli Senior
Sheldon Statkewicz R-Senior
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William Lee Sophomore
2017-18 SCHEDULE Date Men
Event
Site
Sept. 18-19
Queen’s University of Charlotte College Invitational
Kannapolis, N.C.
Oct. 5
Badger Shootout
Mobile, Ala. - Spring Hill Golf Course
Sept. 25
Oct. 9-10
Oct. 17-18
Feb. 17-18
Feb. 26-27 Mar. 12-13 Apr. 2-3
Women
Full Moon BBQ Invitational
NAIA Battle of the Bayou
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Invitational Alabama Southern Community College Invitational
Badger Invitational
William Carey University Invitational UWF Argos Invitational
Carey Collegiate Classic
Oct. 9-10
Thomas University Fall Invitational
Oct. 5
Oct. 22-23
Feb. 26-27 Mar. 20-21 Apr. 2-3
Apr. 22-24
Badger Shootout
Badger Invitational Bama Beach Blast
Daphne, Ala.
Mobile, Ala. - Magnolia Grove
Hattiesburg, Miss.
Mobile, Ala. - Spring Hill Golf Course
University of West Florida Invitational
Gulf South Conference Championships
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Gulfport, Miss.
Pensacola, Fla.
Alabama State University Invitational
Avondale, La.
Hattiesburg, Miss.
Sept. 25-26
Calera, Ala.
Valdosta, Ga.
Gulf Shores, Ala.
Mobile, Ala. -Magnolia Grove Gulf Shores, Ala. Pensacola, Fla.
Pine Mountain, Ga.