Katie Futcher practices with Katie Futcher. This is a fact-finding mission. It is also an example of the detail-oriented culture Futcher has created at Emory. Emory’s girls golf program was established only four years ago.
Futcher stated that “We are engaged” on the crucial day leading up to a tournament. “Our team is engaged throughout the tournament. We are discussing our shots, not just going through our plans. We don’t just hit it out there. This day prepares us for challenging courses and challenging conditions.
Emory’s preparation paid off over the 36 holes of the Golfweek DIII Invite, particularly when conditions became cold and windy at Baytowne Golf Links, Sandestin, Florida in the final round. After the first round, Emory was one shot behind Oglethorpe. However, he pulled away from the 24-team field the following two days. At 10 over, the Eagles won their title defense by winning 12-shots.
Emory sophomore Sharon Mun won at 6 under the individual title
Emory’s women’s golf team won the 2022 Golfweek DII Invite. (Photo: Golfweek)
Emory is Futcher’s signature program. Futcher, who retired from the LPGA in the middle of a nine-year tenure during which she participated in more than 25 major championships as well as 120 events and earned Class A status with LPGA.
After spending a few months “in the woods”, she realized she could use her golf experience to help others.
Futcher worked as a volunteer assistant at Penn State from 2016-17. Futcher was the Nittany Lions’ leading scorer during her four-year tenure there. After that, she was the assistant coach at James Madison for the 2017-18 season. Because Emory offered her the opportunity to build a team, she applied for the Emory head coaching job. Futcher is the program’s first ever head coach.
Emory was not just interested in the sport, but also wanted to experiment with it. Futcher is a highly educated student at Atlanta’s school. He has won more than 20 NCAA championships in all sports.
Futcher stated that you don’t have the chance to create a program entirely from scratch in any division. “I didn’t think I would be in Division III. But to be able have total control and no one else to blame if anything goes wrong – all your players, all of your vision – that was something that intrigued me.
“I had a formula in my mind that I thought would produce a team that would be successful. It was something I wanted to test. Emory was the right choice for me.
In 2021-22, the Eagles won five games. Then they added the NCAA Division III Women’s National Championship in spring 2017. Emory is the second recipient of this Golfweek award.
Futcher stated, “We really care about the things that you can directly control,” when Futcher was asked about the national title. Futcher was referring to assistant coach Christel Boeljon who won five times on Ladies European Tour and made it on the winning 2011 European Solheim Cup team.
Futcher and Boeljon give a checklist of variables to their team: hydration. Futcher believes success will follow if her players take care these things.
Futcher’s program is structured, perhaps more than any other Division III team.
She said, “We have practice.” You must be there for a set amount of time and hours. You can’t just come and go as often as you like. There are some practices that we have, but it doesn’t work for everyone so I try to find those recruits.
Futcher is a key player in the advancement of Emory’s golf program, according to John Sjoberg, Emory’s head men’s coach.
“She has been an amazing person to work with over the past four years,” stated Sjoberg, who has been in charge of Emory’s men’s program since 2011. “She has made us better. Just the ideas she brought to our daily lives. What she did on tour and how they practice. . . Our men really listen to what Futcher and Boeljon say and how they say them.
Sjoberg’s team is known for being explosive, and that’s what brought the Eagles to the finish at Sandestin Raven Golf Club. Emory and Oglethorpe battled it out all day, with Emory losing by just a few shots in the final round.
The Emory men’s golf team won the 2022 Golfweek DII Invite. (Photo: Golfweek)
Emory was Nos. 15-18 in 10 Under – the four counting scorers went 8 under – to edge Oglethorpe five points. Michael O’Sullivan of Oglethorpe won the individual title at 6 over.
Sjoberg stated that momentum is tangible and can be seen. “Jackson (Klutznick), was our first guy out, and he made two in a row there. It just filters through the lineup, and all of the sudden, a few 6 footers go into, and we play the par 5, (No. 17) is really good. We were able to get momentum moving in both directions, and it worked well for us.
Since 2009, Emory’s men compete in the Golfweek DIII Invite. The Raven is all about accuracy off the tee. However, it’s not difficult to play second-shot on the course, as Sjoberg’s players know. Emory has won the title three times.
After winning the Piedmont Invitational in October, Emory took to the green at the Golfweek event. Emory’s play has put the Eagles in the national conversation. They were ranked No. 2. In the most recent Golfweek/Bushnell Coaches Poll.
Sjoberg stated, “I believe we have the makings for a lot more good programs across the country.” “…Us is a great program because it allows us to recruit children who are interested in competing for a championship at year’s end.
Emory has had a great run over the past few years and it looks like that momentum will continue.
By: Julie Williams
Title: With an eye on the details, Emory’s golf programs surge into national prominence and repeat at Golfweek DIII Invite
Sourced From: golfweek.usatoday.com/2022/10/20/college-golf-emory-golfweek-diii-invite-sandestin-florida/
Published Date: Thu, 20 Oct 2022 21:14:50 +0000
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