The women’s golf team shot a collective 402 over par for a sixthplace finish in the 2009 Northern Athletics Conference Golf Championships on Oct. 5-6 at Glen Erin Golf Course in Janesville, Wis.
Lakeland senior Nikki Commons led the way with a 43 above par to finish tied for fifth place. Commons performance warranted her fourth selection to the All-NAC team, the most in conference history.
This season, Commons finished inside of the top ten every tournament with two finishes in the top five. The senior from Bonduel, Wis. has a 91.2 stroke average per 18-hole round and shot a season-best 86 round at the Benedictine Invitational on Sept. 19-20.
“I think it’s a good accomplishment, a very satisfying one. It’s something I’ll be able to tell my children,” Commons said.
The senior lent advice to future Lakeland golfers.
“Enjoy the time you have—it really does go by fast. Play the game one hole at a time.”
Women’s golf coach Cathy Hanek praised the work ethic of her outgoing star golfer.
“She would practice all day if she could,” Hanek said. “She spends a ton of time playing, going to our practices and then playing on her own, which translates into success in a game of perfection like golf.”
Freshman Tavea Peterson shot 100 over par to finish, tied for 25th overall, while seniors Sara Mallion and Terra Hiben finished 29th and 33rd, respectively.
“Tavea had a pretty decent year as a freshman and she’s going to get better while she’s here,” said Hanek. She added, “Sarah Mallion spent a lot more time practicing this year which, for this sport, is key and she got a lot better.”