Improved iron play, chemistry will drive team

Head women’s golf coach Matt Johnson, in his 13th season at the helm, says his golf team is ready to go. “Overall, we had a really good segment [the fall], we had some good tournaments, and we had some good play by a lot of different players that were both our veterans, and our young players did rather well. I was very encouraged by that. We are now approximately three weeks into spring practice, and we have been practicing great. Everyone is energetic, enthusiastic and ready to go,” Johnson said.

“I am really excited about the spring segment as our team is balanced and we have a good, but challenging spring schedule,” Johnson said. “From our conference standpoint, we have some very strong teams in our conference. We were picked 4th. Denver, as always, has a strong team. Oral Roberts will also be very good. We have always proved we belong in this conference with these programs, but we will have to do it again this year. We will have to play really well, and I think this team is capable.”

The Bison are very balanced according to Johnson and any of the six in his lineup is capable of posting a good score at any time. “As a general rule, our team is very balanced. Coming out of our fall segment, Leah Skaar established herself as our most consistent player. All her rounds were in the 70’s. We used all of her scores for all 12 of our meets so she was consistent and solid for us,” Johnson said. “Catherine Monty and Maddie Herzog were also good players for us last fall.”

With regards to the type of team the Bison would be this year, Johnson expressed enthusiasm for the team’s iron play for the upcoming spring segment. “I think we have always been a good driving team, but I think we are also pretty well-rounded. We have worked and are working on our iron play, approach shots and more specifically, on yardages and distance,” Johnson said. “Instead of practicing blind all winter as in the past, our practice enhancements tell us where the ball is going and how far it goes.”

Skaar, the sophomore from Gold Canyon, Ariz., elaborated. “Having the TrackMan upstairs and practicing wedge distances and doing the combine has really helped with staying consistent and consistently knowing your numbers,” Skaar said. “I think the new format at practice, especially the wedge circuits, will really pay off.” Evaluating her own game, Skaar said the forced time off from various illnesses and injuries during the 2020-21 season really helped. “Coming back from those, I was able to focus on making my swing consistent while getting healthy. So, when the fall segment started, I was able to focus more on making myself a better college golfer and less on my swing. It really built my confidence as well.”

Regarding her team, Skaar feels the Bison golfers’ strength is togetherness. “I really think this team is special and we have a lot more depth than other teams. We all get along really well and have a great connection with each other,” Skaar said. “We really support each other on and off the course. Academically, in the weight room, and on the course. I think that will really propel us to have a great spring season.” When asked what players to watch this spring season, Skaar mentioned two freshmen. “I think that Elise and Jo (Elise Hoven and Jo Baranczyk) are really talented, and confidence is such a big factor. It is such an important factor for our team. When the rest of the team plays with confidence, I think you will really see them play with confidence too.”

Johnson agreed with Skaar’s assessment on the team. “Leah makes a great point. Confidence is so important, and golf is such a mental game and one of our best strengths is our mental strength,” Johnson said. “Our teams, and this team, are good at keeping themselves mentally under control. Staying in their comfort zone and in their game plan and not becoming their own worst enemy.” Finally, Johnson said, “I am really excited about this spring segment and this team.”

The women golfers open their season on Feb. 20 at the Dual in the Desert tournament at Rancho La Quinta Country Club in La Quinta, Calif.