by JAMIE FINK
Editor-in-Chief

Youth has been the theme for many Islander programs this year –Islanders Golf is no different. Women’s golf suited up just seven players this year, five of whom finished the 2015-16 school year with a sixth place finish in the Southland Conference Tournament at the Stonebridge Ranch Country Club in McKinney, Texas.

The Islanders sixth place finish marked the fifth time this season the team has finished in the top-10. The tournament finish marked a seven-tournament streak of top-10 finishes this season.

“There are a lot of positives we can take from today,” head coach Carol Blackmar said in a video recap after the Southland Tournament’s third round. “Our freshmen gutted it out when we needed them to on several occasions. We were able to identify what we need to work on during the offseason.”

Blackmar said the weather was almost exactly the same to the previous year’s postseason tournament. The Southland Conference officials suspended play for two hours after lightning was reported in the area, halting the Islanders in the midst of their final round of play.

The Islanders’ lone senior Vanessa Johnson played her final game as an Islander. The senior led all Islanders with a 6-over par to tie for 12th.

“It was great to see Vanessa, watch her,” Blackmar said. “She played a pretty good round. She really grinded it out in the tough conditions, which made her finishing on such a high note more memorable.”

Johnson’s 6-over, 78, guided the Islanders in the final round. After the weather delay, play continued in heavy rain, as Johnson finished the front nine of play at only 1-over par.

Johnson’s career at the Island University comes to a close, but Blackmar said her influence and impact on the younger players is very evident.

Better known as VJ to her coaches and teammates, Johnson will be the only player not returning to next season’s roster for the Islanders.

In a Facebook post on Vanessa’s page, VJ shared her experiences on being a homegrown Islander the last four years, and what it has meant to her.

“My college golf career has ended. Today was bitter sweet,” Johnson said. “I told myself on hole 18 that I was not going to cry and I didn’t. I’m so honored to have been an Islander golfer and to have accomplished the records I set and tournaments I have won.”

The strong season for the Islanders highlighted many accomplishments, including the rise of freshman Dani Bergmann who appeared in every tournament for the Islanders, which included her first career win at the Cardinal Challenge back in March and two top-five finishes earlier in the season.

The Islanders finished the season with 11 top-20 finishes, including the previously mentioned five top-10 finishes and four top-five finishes. The Islanders will return six players for next season, including freshmen standout Dani Bergmann.

For more information on Islanders Golf, visit www.goislanders.com, or follow the team on Twitter @IslandersGolf.