After a remarkable 2003 year, the women’s golf team is expected
to perform just as well if not better this season.
“I have no doubt that we have the talent to place in the top five at regionals,” women’s head coach Shannon Rouillard said.
The Ducks bid farewell to only one senior from last season and feature a 2004 squad led by six upperclassmen.
Rouillard, in her fourth season as Oregon’s head coach, said she feels that the recent success of the women’s team is a tribute to hard work by her players.
“We have made huge strides
as of late and have put women’s golf at Oregon back on the map,” Rouillard said.
The Ducks finished last season ranked No. 35 in the nation after
losing a three-team playoff hole at
regionals to Texas in Palo Alto, Calif.
“It was a tough loss for us,” Rouillard said. “We grew as a team, however, and played our hearts out.”
Johnna Nealy is one of the more-talented seniors on this season’s team. Rouillard said she views Nealy as a “ring-leader,” thanks to her personality and skill on the golf course.
“Johnna is one of our better players because of her experience and maturity,” Rouillard said.
Oregon men
Men’s head coach Steven Nosler is hoping to see his young team continue to grow from last year’s disappointing season, which he said was a “learning experience.”
“Many of our younger players last season did not fare as well as they could have,” Nosler said. “This
season, those same players have another year under their belts, which can only help them this season.”
With a team that is too young
to be called experienced and too
old to be considered young, the men’s squad features 12 players who Nosler said can “all have a decent shot at being a standout player this season.”
Although this year’s team does not feature any seniors, Nosler expects his squad to be competitive. Nosler said that age does not necessarily reflect a player’s level of talent.
This year’s team is led by juniors Justin St. Claire and Kyle Johnson. Much like Nosler, St. Claire refers
to last season plainly as a “learning experience.”
To Nosler, a good season for 2004 would mean his team would follow its simple goal of striving to have a “respectable outing” each round.

Scott J. Adams is a freelance reporter for the Emerald.