By Kelsy Taylor
Marketing ’22
COVID-19 did not hold the Trine University women’s golf team back from a successful
season this fall.
The team was able to play in six matches, placing first in four of them. Two golfers,
junior Karlee Fackler and senior Jenna Doumont, said they were going to do whatever
it took to be able to compete in a season during this pandemic.
“Golf is an outlet for me. It allows me to stop thinking about other things that I
have going on.” Fackler said. “Although golf is extremely mental and at times frustrating,
it has given me an entirely new community to become part of.”
“Golf allows me to escape from everything. Especially with everything going on in
the world,” Doumont commented. “When I am playing golf, it feels like I am in my own
world. I have been playing golf since I was 8, so I really cannot remember a time
when I did not play.”
While many NCAA Division III schools did not allow sports to be played due to the
pandemic, but Trine was dedicated to making sure its student-athletes got the chance
to do what they love. Even though golf could not have a full season, the team still
had the chance to compete.
Unfortunately, they were not able to compete in a MIAA Conference Championship, since
only five of the nine teams in the MIAA played: Trine, Albion, Adrian, Olivet and
Calvin. However, otherwise the season went as normal, except for some individual adjustments
to prevent the spread of illness.
“The biggest aspect that changed for me was leaving the flagstick in while putting,”
Doumont said. “Any other year, I would putt with the flagstick out every time.”
Both players said they have taken away lessons from this unusual season.
“COVID has taught me to roll with the punches,” Doumont said. “Before COVID, I really
liked having a set schedule that did not change. With COVID, it seems that things
are changing every second.”
“One thing COVID has taught me is to appreciate the things you have when you have
them,” Fackler said. “I think a lot of us took for granted the ability to go out to
eat or even go to the store without wearing a mask.”
Last Updated: 10/29/2020