Women's golf team opens season Monday at Flagler event

The Eastern Florida State College women's golf team will tee off Monday for the first time this spring season.

The Titans will travel to St. Augustine for the Flagler World Golf Invitational, playing two rounds on Monday and the final round is scheduled for Tuesday.

"This time of year is always a little edgy for me because they had a break," Eastern Florida State College women's golf coach Jamie Howell said. "They finished well, we talk about just getting better and what we lack in depth we make up in work ethic and desire. As long as we buy into that there is no ceiling for this group. We are just trying to keep getting better, they show up and work hard."

Gracie Doke is the only player back from last year's team that placed eighth in the NJCAA Division I National Tournament and is confident this group will be competitive again this season.

"I think we are prepared, compared to our first tournament (in the fall) to how we finished was such a big improvement and I am excited to see us continue that," Doke said.

The freshmen group stepped in and had a strong fall season as the team finished in the top five in three of the four events, winning the Wallace State Fall Invitational.

Jenna Barnett had an individual win and finished in the top 10 in three of the four events.

"It was a little nerve wracking, it was my first time being in collegiate events but I am really excited for the spring season because I am more prepared," Barnett said. "I already know what I am getting myself into so I can just go out and work on my game, I have way more confidence now that I have played a couple events."

The group will tee off at the Slammer and Squire Course at the World Golf Village for the 36-hole event Monday morning.

"I can't wait to get started, I love competing and really missed it, so I loved it and wish we had more tournaments," Emma Parker said.

It is the first of three tournaments in February for the Titans.