:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/38765352/BxrWp_6IcAI1oD8.0.jpg)
The monumental move to the ACC has been a dream come true for the University of Louisville. The fan base has grown, the academics will continue to improve, and the Cardinals' new home will allow all athletics to pursue their highest of goals.
The men's and women's golf programs are certainly benefitting from the transition, but they still fight the toughest of battles, recruiting. All the premier golf programs are located in warmer, sun filled climates, and convincing the top juniors in the country to choose Louisville as their launching pad into the LPGA or PGA is a mighty hill to climb no matter the conference.
Due to the strong and storied resumes of Coaches Courtney Trimble and Mary Bryan, the Louisville Women's Golf team is clawing their way into the national picture. Bryan and Trimble understand what it takes to win at the highest levels, and with Bryan's 30 plus years of experience in the professional golfing world, recruits are starting to take notice of something special happening here at the University of Louisville.
The Cardinal Women have started the 2014/2015 season off with two consecutive tournament wins. The second victory came this week at the annual Cardinal Cup hosted by the new University of Louisville Golf Club. The Cardinals placed four ladies in the top 15 from their number one squad, and three in the top 30 from their number two team. Emily Haas finished fourth overall by bouncing back after her first round 78, with consecutive one under rounds of 71.
For the third-consecutive year, your 2014 Cardinal Cup champions: @UofLWGolf. #L1C4 pic.twitter.com/ujUwYe1mHg
— UofL Women's Golf (@UofLWGolf) September 16, 2014
The Cardinal women return three of their top four players from a year ago and are led by redshirt senior Katie Petrino. Katie has been an integral part of the smooth and uplifting transition of coaching staffs, and sets a great example for the incoming players in regards to work ethic and leadership. The Cardinals also received a boost this season when Katie Mitchell transferred from the University of Florida. The former Freshman of the Year in Conference USA gives Louisville an elite talent, has two years of eligibility remaining, and finally feels at home in Louisville.
The goals this year are similar to years past, but achieving them is considerably more realistic. The Cardinal Women will strive to continue their improvement in team competitions in order to climb the rankings this fall. Once spring arrives, they aim to position themselves to win the ACC, qualify for the NCAA regionals and move onto the NCAA Championship. Katie Petrino says the team motto this year is "Whatever it Takes", and the ladies are working tirelessly to do whatever it takes to capture a championship. The Louisville Women's Golf Team is poised to accomplish something special in 2014/2015, best of luck ladies, and to all those recruits... Louisville First, Cards Forever.
