Leina feels weird with new role

Surreal is what Leina Kim describes her experience of being not on the greens and playing in the inaugural event of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference 2015-2016 season.

CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Leina Kim, front row second left, enjoys a light moment with members of the Colorado State University-Pueblo men’s and women’s golf teams.
(Contributed Photo)

Kim made her season debut as one of Lady ThunderWolves head coach Josh Koschke’s three assistants. Rick Ewing and Matt Porter are the other two assistant coaches.

The LadyThunderWolves already played two tournaments in the Fall season—the Farmers Insurance Samuel Proal Invitational, which they hosted at the Walking Stick Golf Course in Pueblo last week, and the recently concluded RMAC #1 at the Fox Hill Golf Club in Longmont, Colorado.

“It was weird not being able to play at first but after a while I was more focused in helping the girls around the greens and with hitting their shots,” Kim told Saipan Tribune.

“We worked a lot on the course management and with the mentality, trying to stay calm throughout the round,” she added.

The Lady ThunderWolves, composed of three rookies and two juniors, finished fifth overall in the RMAC #1 with a two-day total of 76-over 652.

Former Mesa Community College Thunderbird, in the National Junior Collegiate Athletic Association, Jacquelyn Porman was the top finisher among the Lady ThunderWolves.

She shot a 15-over 159 to finish tied for 10th with Montana State University Billings’ Bailee Dexter and Naomi Yamada of champion Colorado Mesa University (51-over 627).

Veteran Natasha Navarro, who was part of last season’s runner-up squad, and freshman Jolene Kam ended up tied for 24th with a 24-over 168.

Tori Goodman, the third rookie on the Lady ThunderWolves’ roster, carded 26-over 170 to share 34th place with four others.

“[Three] girls are all new so they were very nervous about their first tournament. The results were better than expected and I am so proud to be a part of the team in some way,” said Kim, who maxed out her playing years after RMAC and NCAA Division II counted her one year of studying at a community college in Virginia and red-shirting for CSU.

“There were complications in the past that popped up early this year. I still have a year of school left and while I’m continuing my education, I will be practicing with the team and get the training I need to further my career in golf. I hope to qualify for the LPGA in August next year,” added Kim.

Kim,a three-time RMAC Golfer of the Year and CSU-Pueblo’s 2015 Female Athlete of the Year, only played for two seasons with the Lady ThunderWolves but made a huge impact in the school’s women’s golf program.

Kim and the Lady ThunderWolves travel to the Cold Water Golf Club in Phoenix, Arizona for the Mustang Intercollegiate on Sept. 21 and 22 and will end September with the Preview tournament at the CommonGround Golf Course, which will host the 2016 NCAA Division II Women’s Golf Championship, on Sept. 28 and 29, in Aurora, Colorado.

RMAC’s fall schedule ends with the RMAC #2 Tournament at the New Mexico Golf Course in Albuquerque, New Mexico on Oct. 12 and 13. The NCAA Division II finals is set on April 17 to 19 next year at Scottsdale, Arizona.