The Grand Valley State University women’s golf team has had success
this year, but it’s hoping to be playing at its best in the most important part of their schedule.

So far, so good.

The No. 11 Lakers claimed their fifth straight GLIAC Championship at Currie Golf Course on April 24 and 25 with a threeround, total team score of 963. GVSU edged out second place Ashland University, who finished with a total score of 968. GVSU had three golfers finish in the top eight.

Senior Sarah Hoffman took home first place and the individual medal with a total score of 225 (15), but it was junior Mami Weinstein came up huge for the Lakers. Weinstein entered the tournament ranked as GVSU’s No. 5 golfer, but wrapped up the No. 2 score in the tournament for GVSU by shooting a 243 (33), which was good for a tie for sixth place overall. Freshman Kelly Hartigan shot a 246 (36) to finish in eighth place for the Lakers.

“We supported each other well at GLIACs and were able to to stay in the moment,” Hoffman said. “Last year, we came back from a 14-stroke deficit to win and this year we always had the lead. I thinks it’s harder to protect the lead than it is to come from
behind and win, but we kept our focus and was able to take it one shot at a time.” Following their success at the GLIAC Championship, the Lakers received numerous GLIAC postseason awards.

Hoffman was named GLIAC Player of the Year, Hartigan was named GLIAC Freshman of the Year and head coach Rebecca Mailloux
was named GLIAC Coach of the Year. Hoffman was dominant all season long, winning five tournaments, which is tied for a single-season record at GVSU.

Hoffman also finished in the top five eight times and in in the top 10 in all 10 of the tournaments she competed in. Her 74.4 scoring average is the lowest single-season scoring average in team history and she set a school record with eight rounds at par or better this year.

Hartigan also earned First Team All-GLIAC honors this year. She carried a 78.9 scoring average throughout the season, including
three top five finishes and five top 10 finishes on the season.

Her best finish came at the Bulldog Invitational where she placed second with a two round score of 146 (2).

“It was an honor to receive this award,” Hartigan said. “I tried to play well every round with my team pushing me from the beginning of the fall season.”

Head coach Rebecca Mailloux was named the GLIAC Coach of the Year for the thirdstraight season after leading GVSU to their fifth-straight GLIAC Championship. She has coached five All-GLIAC honorees, including Hoffman, Hartigan and sophomore Veronica
Ryan, all of which made the All-GLIAC first team. Junior Mami Weinstein was named to the All-GLIAC second team, while junior
Ashley Beard was named honorable mention All-GLIAC.

Mailloux’s team has won seven tournaments this year, the second-highest total in a single season at GVSU. Her team also recorded the lowest team round in GVSU history at the Bulldog Invitational when the Lakers carded a team round of 292 and the lowest 36-hole team score in history when they shot a 588.

The Lakers will go from one of their biggest matches to their next one. GVSU has the NCAA Division II Super-Regionals in Findlay,
Ohio, which opened play on Sunday and will run until Tuesday.

“We are feeling optimistic heading into Regionals,” Hoffman said. “Our toughest competition will be the University of Indianapolis.”

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