New Women's Golf Team Tees Off

“Golf isn’t often considered by people to be a ‘real’ sport,” complained Andrea Cody ’06. This year, Vassar is taking steps to correct that misconception by starting its own, assuredly real, women’s golf team. Cody, one of the new players, is optimistic about the team’s inaugural season: “We really want to get people committed while making sure they have fun and stay enthusiastic about it.” Cody is no stranger to building programs from the ground up; in high school, she single-handedly founded the first girl’s summer golf league in Long Island. “Things multiply quickly,” she said, confident that Vassar’s team will experience similar growth.

The team will compete on the club level before graduating to varsity in the fall of 2003. Andy Jennings, athletic director, has agreed to take on the coaching position for the first two years. To ensure compliance with Title IX, the landmark 1972 law necessitating equal athletic opportunity along gender lines, Vassar constantly reviews its programs. When the college decided to add another women’s sport, golf seemed the most obvious candidate: Vassar boasts on-campus facilities at the Vassar Golf Course (pictured) as well as the nearby Casperkill Golf and Country Club. Also, golf classes taught through the physical education department have always been well attended.

The golfers competed at early invitationals hosted by Williams and Wellesley. Five team members compete in each match, with the top four scores counted toward the total. Play continued throughout the fall until mid-November and will recommence for the spring season at the onset of warm weather.

“Golf is a big commitment,” said Cody with a look of determination on her face. But she anticipates the effort will reap many rewards, including the recruitment of new students interested in golf. As a high-school student, Cody wanted to apply to Vassar, but she also wanted to play golf. “I knew there was no team here, and that was a major drawback to me,” she said. “But one day I looked at the athletics Website and saw that a team would be starting this year. I contacted Andy Jennings right away. After that, I knew my coming to Vassar was meant to be.”