With the interest of golf at an all time high with the emergence of phenomenal athletes such as professional golfer Tiger Woods and 13-year-old child golf prodigy Michelle Wie, the men and women Colonel golf teams will look to gather much attention of their own by sinking many hole-in-ones in hopes of having an unbelievable season.
Head men and women’s golf coach James Schilling will have the services of seven male golfers from last season, including most recognizable golfer, junior Steve Luminais, who prepped at Riverside Academy in Reserve.
“He’s going to probably be our number one player,” Schilling said. Selected to the Southland Conference Honorable mention team, Luminais along side senior Jeff Olson and sophomores Joshua Clements and Brandon Henry will be counted on as key factors in the success of this year’s team.
Also to be counted on to step in and play will be freshmen golfers Danny Schmitt and Nat Bhanmatuchinda. “I think both of those guys are going to come in and challenge for a travel spot. I think it could take them a tournament or two to get warm because they’re freshman, and they’re going to be nervous, but they definitely have the ability to be top five players,” Schmitt said.
The Lady Colonel golf team returns three golfers from the 2002 season including sophomore Heather Tate and juniors Cathy Colwell and Shawna Fraser. Fraser, who was selected to the Southland Conference First team for the second consecutive season, will be counted on to set an example for the younger players.
“Shawna will be our best player again this year,” Schilling said. With three new players in freshmen Laura Sanchez, Kristi Comeaux and Jamie Myck, Fraser’s experience as a leader will be needed.
With women’s golf only being in existence here at Nicholls for three years, coach Schilling instills patience in both teams. “One thing that I really focus my players on is playing one shot at a time, meaning not letting the previous holes change your mental approach as to what your going to do on the next shot,” Schilling said.
With the Lady Colonel’s season to start on Sept. 8, Schilling will begin practice with both teams Aug. 28. When asked what would be the perfect start to this year’s season, Schilling said, “I just want to get out there and have a good positive experience. Hopefully we’ll have everyone play reasonably well, and we won’t have anyone really struggle.”
Overall this year’s men and women’s golf team will play with one intension, to play as hard and do as well as they possibly can.
“We represent the entire University, your golf bag and your uniform says Nicholls State, that’s why it’s important we play as well as we can.”
The Lady Colonels, will be hosting The Lady Colonel Collegiate on Sept. 8, and the Colonel golf team, will be hosting The Gulf Coast Collegiate on Sept. 15, both teams will aim towards the sky in hopes of playing well at The Bridges golf course in Bay St. Louis, Miss.