“Competitive scores and a sense of accomplishment,” was all the Taylor University’s women’s golf team was expecting to start this season according to sophomore Shayne Lim.
However, currently ranked No. 13 in the NAIA, the Trojans started the season strong taking second place in the Players Club Invitational on Sept. 2 and taking first in the Huntington Invitational on Sept. 4, due in no small part to a series of fantastic rounds by Lim.
There is no shortage of excitement in the NAIA golf world surrounding this year's Taylor Women’s Golf team. Entering the year ranked in the top 15 nationally, booming with young talent and a second-year head coach, there are not only high levels of anticipation for this season but for the years to come.
Lim is the prime example of this young talent. Her position on the team is not only one of a leader but also as a developing student of the game.
“Playing the leading role on the team is an honor and a responsibility that I take to heart,” Lim said. “It means being not only a strong competitor but also a source of inspiration and support for my teammates.”
Her play reflected her strength as a competitor as she topped the field of Taylor golfers in both tournaments by multiple strokes.
“I had some notable rounds,” Lim said, “I showcased improved accuracy off the tee and consistent putting.”
Lim’s success in these areas is what led her and the team to top the overall field at the Huntington Invitational. In addition to the team’s top placing at Huntington, they also topped multiple other ranked teams throughout the course of both tournaments, one of them being No. 9 Indiana Wesleyan by three strokes at the Players Club Invite.
Shooting four to five strokes below the Trojans' number two golfer, Ellie Beavins, there is no doubt that Lim is the team’s leader. But in her position of leadership as well as her desire to improve, Lim was quick to identify areas in need of improvement in her play.
Lim was pleased with her performance, but far from satisfied.
“My performance has been a mix of achievements and learning experiences,” Lim said.
A common aspect looked for in leaders is humility and their ability to admit their flaws.
Despite shooting top scores in both tournaments, falling one over par in the Players Club Invitational and six over par in the Huntington Invitational, Lim was quick to critique her play and elaborate on what she wanted to immediately improve.
“One area I am determined to improve,” Lim said, “is my consistency in approach shots and iron play.”
She also brought up her mental preparation for the competition and how she felt the pressure caused her level of play to fluctuate more than she would have liked.
Leadership to Lim is not just about posting the best score for the team. To her, “it is also about being a team player, a motivator, and a leader who brings out the best in everyone.”
Also leading the team was Ellie Karst, who currently sits at the number two position on the team. At the Huntington Invitational, Karst took fifth overall with a total score of 154. Following Karst, Trojan golfers Ellie Beavins, Margarita Garrido, and Alyssa Schmidt all posted top scores ultimately leading the team to post all five entries in the overall top 10 of the tournament.
Lim was ecstatic for her teammates and her team as she described her experience at the two tournaments as, “nothing short of exhilarating.” This level of excitement for Lim and the team’s future certainly surrounds the team. Taylor University women’s golf will see their next opportunity to compete on Sept. 29 when they enter the Battle of the Blackthorn in South Bend, Ind.
