Spring Break
Ackerson looks to lead women's golf next season
Chris Dell, Staff Writer, cdell@smu.edu
Issue date: 4/24/08 Section: Sports
One week later, Martin tied for seventh at the Conference USA Championship in El Paso. In a little more than a month, Martin had improved from a three-round total of 272 to 230. Selders said he had helped Martin re-tool her swing early in the spring, which caused her initial struggles, but Ackerson had faith that Martin would improve as the season progressed.
"She just had confidence in herself [late in the season]," said Ackerson. "If you keep working, your hard work will pay off."
Ackerson knows a thing or two about payoffs. She has yet to win a tournament during her collegiate career, but finished second at the Wolverine Invite in Ann Arbor, Mich., last September. She also qualified for the U.S. Amateur Public Links last summer.
Her wrist continues to mend, and she plans to compete May 14 in a U.S. Women's Open qualifier in Houston. Ackerson is itching to return to the course, but Selders said he will use caution when bringing her back, which is understandable. The Mustangs are looking formidable next year, and the team is counting on a healthy Ackerson to lead it to the NCAA Regionals, which it missed this spring for the first time in five years.
"Our one goal for next season is so simple," said Selders. "Hopefully we can win conference, but beyond that our goal is to make it back to regionals. That's all I'm going to tell them."
Ackerson set her expectations a bit higher. "My goal is definitely to win a college tournament and make it to the [NCAA Championship]," she said. The Mustangs have not made the NCAA Championship in Selder's seven-year tenure. Laura Cross was the last SMU women's golfer to qualify for the NCAAs, when she made it individually in 2004.
SMU will lose seniors Cross and Lacey Jones, who was a second-team All-Conference selection this season. However, Martin and freshman teammate Tia Gannon will return. Gannon played in each of the Mustangs' five spring events.
Selders said he was encouraged by his team's performance late in the season and said he feels comfortable about his team's future with Ackerson leading the way.
"She just had confidence in herself [late in the season]," said Ackerson. "If you keep working, your hard work will pay off."
Ackerson knows a thing or two about payoffs. She has yet to win a tournament during her collegiate career, but finished second at the Wolverine Invite in Ann Arbor, Mich., last September. She also qualified for the U.S. Amateur Public Links last summer.
Her wrist continues to mend, and she plans to compete May 14 in a U.S. Women's Open qualifier in Houston. Ackerson is itching to return to the course, but Selders said he will use caution when bringing her back, which is understandable. The Mustangs are looking formidable next year, and the team is counting on a healthy Ackerson to lead it to the NCAA Regionals, which it missed this spring for the first time in five years.
"Our one goal for next season is so simple," said Selders. "Hopefully we can win conference, but beyond that our goal is to make it back to regionals. That's all I'm going to tell them."
Ackerson set her expectations a bit higher. "My goal is definitely to win a college tournament and make it to the [NCAA Championship]," she said. The Mustangs have not made the NCAA Championship in Selder's seven-year tenure. Laura Cross was the last SMU women's golfer to qualify for the NCAAs, when she made it individually in 2004.
SMU will lose seniors Cross and Lacey Jones, who was a second-team All-Conference selection this season. However, Martin and freshman teammate Tia Gannon will return. Gannon played in each of the Mustangs' five spring events.
Selders said he was encouraged by his team's performance late in the season and said he feels comfortable about his team's future with Ackerson leading the way.
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