Story by Alex Agueros, for The Muleskinner

The historic first fall season of Jennies golf comes to an end Monday at the Truman State Bulldog Classic in Kirksville, Mo. Coach Chris Port sees this tournament as an opportunity to rebound from disappointing scores at last week’s Bearcat Fall Classic.

“At the Northwest tournament, the weather was pretty poor and we didn’t handle it very well,” Port said. “So, Kirksville gives us a chance to bounce back and finish the fall season on a high note.”

Port also notes that the Northwest and Kirksville courses are very different. “The greens at Northwest were big, fast and had lots of slope,” he said. “Kirksville will be a little more straight-forward, and should be much easier for us.”

The Truman tournament will cap off a season that proved to be an exciting challenge on the staff and players. Port said, “We had to recruit players, build schedules, order gear and put together practice programs all at the same time. It’s been pretty hectic.”

Port explained this fall was about “getting our freshmen players experience, building a strong practice culture and creating an identity for the type of teams we want to have in the future. We have definitely met those expectations during the fall. ”

Port hopes his players can build on their hard work in the fall and set the bar high for the spring.

“Kayla Temple and Jordan Thoreson are two freshmen playing in the top five, and they both have shown great progress this fall,” he said. “My upperclassmen, Liz Boatright, Katie Threlkeld and Krystal Martinez have been real steady all fall. I look for them to keep producing the steady results all spring.”

While building for the future, Port also recognizes the honor this group has of being the first Jens golf team in school history.

“Nobody else ever gets that distinction,” he said. “Records this team sets will most likely be broken down the road, but they will always be the first.”

The Truman tournament will take place Sunday and Monday at the Kirksville Country Club.