Sandburg women’s golf starts fall season

With an even split of returning and fresh talent, the Sandburg women’s golf team looks to earn its way back to the NJCAA Division II Championship this season.

The Chargers, who qualified for nationals in the 2022-23 season, won their second straight Region 4 title last fall before posting a third-place finish in the Central District tournament.

KEY RETURNER

Ava Hackman (Oregon, Ill./Oregon), sophomore

• All-Region 4 recipient as a freshman.

• Earned second place in the Galesburg All-City Tournament this summer.

• Chargers coach Gail Hannam: “Ava has been playing all summer to prepare for the season. Her efforts and motivation show she can continue to succeed at the collegiate level.”

KEY NEWCOMER

Abigail Strode (Pekin, Ill./Pekin), freshman

• Helped the Pekin Dragons to their first region title in program history while placing seventh individually during her senior year.

• Helped lead Pekin to the 2023 Mid-Illini Conference title.

• Hannam: “Abigail comes to Sandburg as the most experienced golfer among our newcomers. She played quite a bit throughout the summer to improve her game.”

WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS FOR THIS SEASON?

Hannam: “I think our three sophomores (Hackman, Kylie Fahnestock and Lauren Minkel) are really going to step up this fall. They all look so much better in practice so far this year.”

TOURNAMENT TO WATCH

Millikin Dechert Classic, Sept. 27-28 at South Side Country Club in Decatur.

Hannam: “We struggled there last year, and the course is a good test of where our games are.”

SCHEDULE ADJUSTMENT

In a change from previous seasons, the Chargers’ postseason tournaments will take play in the spring rather than during the fall schedule. The Region 4 tournament is slated for April 20-21.

THIS WILL BE SUCCESSFUL SEASON IF …

Hannam: “This will be a good year if the sophomores lower their average from last year and the freshmen show improvement.”