The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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MARCH 2018 ■ 63 Marsh discovered Kowohl when she played at the European Junior Champion- ships. The coach noted Kowohl has learned how to be independent and to manage the various responsibilities of college golf, which has helped maximize her natural talent. "For all of college golfers, there is a step up from junior golf that everyone makes. … It's like when you go from college to playing professionally," Marsh said. "You have to adapt." Kowohl has a 72.0 stroke average so far this season and has posted three top-20 fin- ishes. Her competitive desire is what helps set her apart. "I watched her and she anchored the team," Marsh said of Kowohl this year. "She doesn't mind being in that last position and is comfortable coming in that role." Clyburn averaged 74.27 strokes in four tournaments to start this season. She tied for ninth with an 11-over-par 224 at the Lady Puerto Rico Classic. Marsh said part of Clyburn's success is that she's incorporated some minor swing tweaks to shore up her game in the long run. "India is what I would call a gamer," Marsh said. "She enjoys competition and enjoys the game and the strategy of the game. She makes a good transition from the practice tee to the golf course." Ko is still searching for consistency, but was sixth in the Ocean Course Invitational with a 1-under 218. "She is a very hard worker," Marsh said. "One of the things I've stressed with them since the fall was learning to use our time really, really well. … With Naomi, she is grappling with learning to be very effec- tive with her time. Then it is trusting it on the golf course with the work she has done, and keeping a quiet mind." Overbey is the lone in-state product on the squad, having graduated from High Point (N.C.) Wesleyan Christian. She's been steady in the fifth slot with a stroke average of 76.4 in four tournaments. "I think all seniors have a sense of ur- gency and I always encourage them to en- joy the moment and be grateful for the opportunities they have," Marsh said. "She has worked hard on letting things happen and her hard work has paid off." Huang, who is from China, has also been in the Wolfpack's top five this season. She was averaging 75.36 strokes, with a season best of tied for 32nd at the Ruth's Chris Tar Heel Invite Oct. 13-15 in Chapel Hill, N.C. Sangkapong is from Nonthaburi, Thailand, but first attended Gardner-Webb for a year before transferring to NC State. She played in seven tournaments in 2016-17 and tied for 14th at the Big South Championship. Freshman Monika Hartl of Bamberg, Ger- many, joins Sangkapong as the newcomers on the team. Sophomore Christina Lu hasn't cracked the rotation yet, but provides depth and has helped with team chemistry. ■ ■ By The Numbers 2 Current golfers rank in NC State's top three for career stroke average. Junior India Clyburn ranks second with 74.05 shots in 69 rounds and junior Naomi Ko is third with 74.85 shots in 69 rounds. Augusta James (2011‑14) holds the record at 73.60. 8 Wolfpack golfers have earned All‑ACC honors, with Clyburn joining the exclusive club last year. Others include Jamie Bronson (1985), Sharon Minnich (1986), Ashlee Dean (2005), Lauren Doughtie (2008‑09), Au ‑ gusta James (2012‑14), Brittany Marchand (2012‑14) and Lindsay McGetrick (2015). 12 Top‑20 finishes for Clyburn in 24 tournaments at NC State, including two wins. Noting The Pack • In addition to playing in tournaments based in North and South Carolina during the fall events and this spring, head coach Page Marsh has also taken her team to Knoxville, Tenn.; Puerto Rico; New Or‑ leans; Tucson, Ariz.; and Baton Rouge, La. Navigating a schedule in golf is different than other sports since there isn't a year in, year out slate with built‑in opponents or events. "I'm always using relationships and politicking for a schedule," Marsh said. "It's a big part of my job. It's not an automatic in golf. You have to solicit invitations." NC State finishing 20th in the final Golfweek rankings last year with three key players back also helped the cause. "We have a team that people want at events and we are well respected," Marsh said. "We represent the school well. At the beginning of the season, like the LPGA Tour, are looking for sunshine. "The other part is to give an opportunity to play in different grasses and against different teams." Newcomer To Watch Sophomore Wassawan "Mim" Sangkapong The Gardner‑Webb transfer from Nonthaburi, Thailand, made her debut during the second se‑ mester for NC State. She and junior teammate Naomi Ko tied for 32nd at the Lady Puerto Rico Classic Feb. 11‑13, shooting a 19‑over‑par 232 for the Wolfpack. She finished tied for 14th at the Big South Golf Championship last year. Three Golfers To Watch Junior India Clyburn The native of Cleethorpes, England, earned All‑ACC honors last year. She led the squad with a 72.6 stroke average, which was 10th in the league. She finished in the top 20 in seven of the 10 tournaments she played in, including six in the top 10. She finished tied for 38th with 226 strokes at the NCAA Regional in Albuquerque. N.M. Junior Laura Kowohl The Kronau, Germany, product played her best golf last year when it mattered most — in the postseason. She was the Wolfpack's No. 2 golfer after finishing tied for 24th (222, which included an opening‑day 69) at the NCAA Regional. She played in seven tournaments and finished with a 74.52 stroke average on the year. She also finished tied for 25th at the ACC Championships with a season‑best 221. Junior Naomi Ko The native of Victoria, Canada, competed in all 10 tournaments for the Wolfpack and posted a 74.53 stroke average. She won the 2017 Lady Puerto Rico Invitational with a 1‑under‑par 215, and was NC State's No. 5 golfer at the NCAA Regional after finishing tied for 73rd with a 234 score. After finishing strong last year, junior Laura Kowohl led the Wolfpack in four of the first five tournaments this season with three top-20 finishes. PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE MEDIA RELATIONS