Griz golf team adds three for 2015-16
11/25/2014 12:00:00 AM | Golf
The Montana women's golf program signed three prep players to National Letters of Intent recently during the NCAA's early signing period.
Second-year coach Joni Stephens received commitments from Sadie Crippen of Missoula, Baylee Barckley of Canyon Lake, Calif., and Abby Pfeifer of Puyallup, Wash.
"These three talented young women, who excel both on the golf course and in the classroom, will complement our returning players for the 2015-16 season," said Stephens.
"I look for these players to come in with an energy and drive that will be contagious, and I expect to see them competing for spots on the travel team right away."
Montana has just one senior on its 2014-15 team, Tara Green, but the Grizzlies also go only seven deep on their roster. That lack of depth was an issue during the fall season when junior Hayley Bingham and redshirt sophomore Alexa Schendelman both missed tournaments because of injury.
Their absences gave Stephens just five healthy players to compete at Seattle University's Pat Lesser Harbottle Invitational last month in the team's final fall tournament.
"One of the main reasons I wanted to increase the size of our roster is because of the injuries we experienced this fall. It took the players we had available for competition down from seven to five," said Stephens. "Increasing the roster will give us some breathing room in case we have any future issues."
Crippen is a senior at Loyola Sacred Heart High School. She finished second at the Montana Class B state tournament in 2013 and '14 and fourth in 2012 as a freshman.
She is Stephens' second signee from Montana. Hailey Hoagland, of Butte, is a freshman on this year's team. She played in all five fall tournaments and had a scoring average of 78.9.
"I am very excited to be adding another Montana golfer to our roster," Stephens said. "Sadie comes from a golfing family and has a passion for the game. She has the kind of drive and determination that will make her a great addition to our team.
"Her strengths are a strong short game and work ethic, and a great attitude both on and off the course."
Crippen won the 2013 Montana State Junior Championship and tied for 11th, along with Hoagland, at last summer's Montana State Women's Amateur. She has three times been named academic all-state in golf and twice in volleyball for the Breakers.
"Having the opportunity to play college golf in my hometown is perfect. I couldn't ask for anything else," said Crippen, whose older sister Maggie plays at North Dakota State. Kelsie Crippen, the oldest of Ken and Marianne Crippen's three daughters, played for the Grizzlies in 2011-12.
"I really like Coach Stephens. I think she cares a lot more about the girls than just golf. And Hailey Hoagland is one of my really good friends. We grew up playing together. We've been going to tournaments together since the fifth grade, so it's pretty cool we'll be on the same college team."
The addition of Barckley gives Montana its second player from Southern California. Amanda Kahn, a sophomore from Carlsbad, had a fall scoring average of 77.4, the fourth-lowest average on the team.
Barckley, a senior at Temescal Canyon High, placed second in her age group at the 2012 World Masters of Junior Golf tournament at Las Vegas and first in 2014, winning the 17-18 age group by a stroke over Thailand's Peerada Piddon.
"I am very pleased to be adding Baylee to our roster. She is a strong golfer with great distance and a solid short game, and has the kind of tournament experience and competitive composure that will allow her have an immediate impact," said Stephens.
"One of the things that impressed me most about Baylee was her ability to stay focused in adverse conditions and still bring in low scores."
Barckley won the 2013 Veritas World Junior Tournament at Tustin, Calif., and the finished first in the 2014 Toyota Tour Cup Series at Badland Golf Club in Las Vegas.
"Signing with Montana was such an amazing feeling. It felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders," Barckley said. "When I went for my official visit, it felt like a team where I could really fit in.
"Montana is such a beautiful place, and it was great to see how everyone supports the school and its teams. That's something I've always wanted in a college. I can't wait until next year."
Pfeifer, a senior at Emerald Ridge High School, placed 12th last spring at the Washington Class 4A state tournament. She also is an honorable-mention all-league basketball player for the Jaguars.
"Abby is a multi-sport athlete who started playing golf a little later than most college-bound golfers," said Stephens. "In spite of that, she has produced some good scores and finishes in her junior golf career.
"Abby has a natural talent for the game and the distance with her clubs that is necessary to be a top golfer at the Division I level. Once she is able to devote her complete attention to golf, she has the kind of determination and work ethic that is going to make her a key player for us."
Pfeifer played a full spring and summer schedule of junior events in the Pacific Northwest. She finished fifth at the Tacoma Junior Open, fourth at the Suncadia Junior Open and third at the Pacific Northwest Junior PGA Championship.
In October she completed a perfect Class 4A South Puget Sound League career. In 30 league events, she was medalist 30 times.
"I chose Montana because I love the school. It has a great golf program, and Coach Stephens is a great coach," said Pfeifer. "I am very excited about the opportunity to play for the Grizzlies."
Montana will open its five-tournament spring season in early March at the Dr. Donnis Thompson Invitational at Kaneohe, Oahu. The Big Sky Conference tournament will be held April 19-21 at Chandler, Ariz.
