As the school year barrels toward finals and graduation, Trinity athletics and spring sports are also coming to a close. As such, both the players and the coaching staff are pressured to finish their season off strong. The Tiger women’s golf team is no exception.

In several earlier tournaments this year, the Tigers placed high, including first at the Space City Classic and second at Texas Cup. These strong placements showcase the team’s adherence to assistant director of golf Shelby Devore’s overarching goal for the team: to work hard and play to the best of their abilities. Devore stated that a win is always something to aim for, but it’s not worth beating up an athlete’s confidence over if not obtained.

“Our plan is the same for every tournament: go out, fight until the end and do the best you can. Not one of these players has not done that. Sure, we have off days, but as long as they go and give it their all, then they have done exactly what I have asked,” Devore said.

Alejandra Molino, sophomore engineering science major, echoed Devore in stating that improvement is all that is asked. Molino said that improvement can come in a variety of forms whether it be a high ranking or breaking a previous record.

“Our team record so far is 298 strokes, so if we even beat our own personal record as a team, we could say it would be a great way to end the season,” Molino said.

Another goal for the team is to once again reach the NCAA national championship after the attending for the first time in the program’s history in the 2021-22 season. Molino, and her teammate Kiona Hsiu, junior accounting major, competed individually in the 2022 tournament and both look to make back-to-back appearances on the national stage.

On April 18, Trinity women’s golf reached this goal by winning first place at the SCAC tournament, with Molino, Kiona Hsiu, Lucy Hansen and Erin Flynn winning the top four individual spots, respectively.

Interviewed shortly before the SCAC tournament, Molino spoke about the potential to go to nationals once more.

“I think it would be a great experience to go once again to nationals since it is a great trip to make as a team and we get even closer. It is a whole different kind of tournament since you are playing against the best teams out there,” Molino said.

Hsiu also spoke about her individual and team aspirations for the remainder of the season before SCAC.

“[Going to nationals] was such a special, unforgettable experience that we are all hoping to repeat this year,” Hsiu said. “I am just hoping to play my best at the conference to help the team win and qualify for the national championships. Additionally, I hope that I will be able to maintain my patience and focus during the conference tournament because that will also help me shoot the best rounds possible.”

Devore congratulated her team on both the performance and the team’s atmosphere during the season. Devore noted that with the way the collegiate golf competition is organized, the team’s atmosphere has adapted to provide support for each other.

“The biggest thing we did well this season was work together as a team. Golf is unique in a sense that it is very much an individual sport, but this team has done an amazing job of lifting each other up and pushing each other,” Devore said. “When you are out on the course, all you can control is yourself, and it can be hard when you don’t have someone there to lift you up like you do in other sports, so it is vital to have a group of people who will lift you up and push you before and after rounds.”

As the last competition approaches, the Tigers prepare to give their all for one final push. Their NCAA championship will be at the Mission Inn Resort and Club in Howey-in-the-Hills, Florida from May 9 – 12.