Johnson honored as MVP at Annual Golf Awards Banquet
May 12, 2004 | Women's Golf
The Badger women's golf team handed out several awards including naming Malinda Johnson as MVP at the recent team banquet. Johnson (Eau Claire, Wis.), UW's only senior, was tabbed Player of the Year. Johnson, the lone NCAA Regional qualifier finished her UW career owning the school career stroke average of 76.19, and reset her own season stroke average with 74.33 this year.
Johnson finished fourth at the Big Ten Championship and just missed an opportunity to qualify for the NCAA Championship placing 10th in the field of 107 at the NCAA Central Regional last week. She also picked up the Badger Leadership Award, and the putting award for having the lowest putting average in greens in regulation.
Freshman Nicki Morse (Oconomowac, Wis.) was honored with the Newcomer Award (lowest tournament average for a newcomer) and the Badger Power award for excellence in the weight room. Morse also was recognized for her hole-in-one at the Legends of Indiana Tournament Oct. 7. She was one of three freshmen competing on the travel squad and had the third lowest average on the team with 80.3 in 30 rounds of play. She had career-bests of 75 for 18, 152 for 36, and 238 for 54-holes. Her best finish was seventh at the rain-shortened Badger Invitational (77-75=152).
Junior Sami Forster (Appleton, Wis.) was honored as Most Improved. She averaged 83.3 through 16 rounds and had career-best of 77 for 18, 160 for 36, and 249 for 54 holes. Her best tournament finish was 51st at the Big Ten Championship (T51 - 77-87-84-82=330).
As a team, the Badgers, under first year coach Todd Oehrlein, averaged 314.0 through 33 rounds which ranks as the fifth best scoring average all-time. The team finished tied for fifth at the Big Ten Championship with a 1243. That score was the third best 72-total in UW history. Everyone but Johnson will return next season.
