21 FURMAN FIELD After years ofstruggleanddisarray, Furman’s roots—and itsidentity—asapowerhouse. women’s program isreturning toits | SPRING 2015 Past I Notes From The JEREMYFLEMING '09 BY RON WAGNER ’93 PHOTOGRAPHY BY s Prologue

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ART CREDIT O Florida State,andYale—by 22shots. teammates routed17other schools—including thelikes ofWake Forest, Texas Tech, 96 by seven strokes withthebest scoreintheevent’s 42-year history assheand her their hometournament,theLadyPaladin Invitational. Totland crushedafieldof n September 23,2014,Taylor Totland ’17andtheFurman women’s golfteamdominated FURMAN | SPRING 2015 22 McRaney, Valentina becoming again,by women's golfteam dressing inperiod of whatFurman's What betterway left: Jacqueline costume? From Bendrick, Alice to bereminded Romero, Laura MACHINES was, andisfast DeMarco, and Totland, Mary Chen, Taylor Reona Hirai.

GREEN

Notes from the Field

DEMURELY DANGEROUS To many, women’s golf is inarguably the sport that defines Furman athletics and the arena where the university has achieved its greatest success as an incubator of professional talent. In addition to the players, the above photograph depicts coach Kelley Hester and assistant coach Jeff Hull.

To casual fans, the reaction truth: The sport that arguably things were going,” says Dottie ’77 won 34 LPGA was probably one of yawning defines Furman athletics and Pepper ’87, a three-time tournaments, including six ma- satisfaction—Furman has been inarguably the sport where All-American who finished jors. ’78 posted taking pride in women’s golf the university has achieved its second at the 1985 NCAA tour- 35 victories with a major of for years. But many would be greatest success has been in a nament. Pepper is one of the her own. Both are in the World surprised to learn the victory steady decline for more than a most famous former Paladins Golf Hall of Fame. was Furman’s first at the Lady decade, bottoming out with the in any arena, a well-known These women’s domi- Paladin since 2005, or that the firing of a coach and concerns golf analyst who has worked nance—earning five of the six team hadn’t won a competi- that the school wasn’t funding for The , Sports LPGA Tour Player of the Year tion of any sort since 2009— the sport adequately. Illustrated, NBC, and currently honors from 1989 to 1994—is also the last year it won the ESPN, after an outstanding pro one no school will likely top. Southern Conference. In fact, LEGENDS ON “THE FALL” career highlighted by 17 LPGA And Furman’s professional Furman’s last appearance at the Furman’s slide was watched Tour wins, including two ma- golf resume doesn’t end there: NCAA tournament, which from with dismay by the legendary jors; 110 top-10 finishes; and At least 17 former Paladins 1974 to 1999 it competed in 80 alumnae who formed the bed- the 1992 LPGA Player of the have competed at the sport’s percent of the time, is going on rock of the program. “I lived in Year award. Remarkably, she’s highest level, combining to win seven years and counting. All the area until 2002. I prac- only one of several highly dec- 94 times and more than $30.5 of which reveals an unsettling ticed there and I saw the way orated former Furman golfers. million.

23 FURMAN | SPRING 2015 Notes from the Field

JACQUELINE BENDRICK ’18 ALICE CHEN ’18 MARY MCRANEY ’17

Women’s golf began at finished in the top 10 six more in 2006 with the addition of and I cried. I cried and I cried, Furman in 1972, and by 1974 times, including a heart- outstanding freshmen Kath- and I didn’t know what to do.” the Paladins were a power. breaking second in 1987. The leen Ekey and Blair Lamb The Furman administration King, Daniel, and Cindy Ferro closest thing to a constant for ’09. Then Potter stunned the scrambled to find a replace- ’76 led Furman to third- and the program was Potter, who program by announcing he ment before settling on Jen fifth-place finishes at the took over in 1983 and worked was leaving for Alabama. Suh Hanna ’98, an outstanding Association for Intercollegiate so much annual magic with a and Sarah Sturm transferred player who competed on the Athletics for Women (AIAW) limited budget that it was easy to Tuscaloosa weeks later, and Tour, but one with no coaching national tournament before to forget just how difficult it is the unraveling began. experience. In some former Sherri Turner ’79 joined the to be so good so often with so “I went [to Furman] for players’ minds, it wasn’t the fold in 1976, and they toppled little. But Furman was about to the pros that went there and best fit. Lamb andStefanie and Tulsa to cap- remember the hard way. women’s golf history there, but Kenoyer ’11, now on the ture the first and only Division Potter coached the Lady Pal- the number one reason I went Symetra Tour, captured SoCon I golf national championship adins for 18 years, leading them there left,” says Lamb, who individual titles, but the Pala- in school history. to eight NCAA tournaments backed out of her Vanderbilt dins managed only one NCAA The feat that year was all in the 1990s alone. Around the commitment to play for Potter. tournament in Hanna’s eight the more impressive consid- millennium, however, cracks “I was an incoming freshman years, in 2008. Worse, Fur- ering Furman had almost no began to show. Furman, which and I thought they’re playing man wasn’t signing the elite scholarship money and no had never missed the national a prank on us. He said ‘I’m talent it once had. In Pepper’s recruiting or travel budget. In competition more than twice in leaving,’ and I got off the phone analysis, the lack of success in the ensuing years, Furman’s a row in school history, didn’t women’s golf survived the make it past regionals for four graduations of their early straight seasons from 2000 FURMAN'S SLIDE WAS WATCHED stars—as well as coaching to 2003. Whispers began that changes from Gary Meredith reality was catching up to years WITH DISMAY BY LEGENDARY to Willie Miller to Mic Pot- of getting by on a shoestring ter—and remained a national budget. ALUMNAE. "I LIVED IN THE AREA contender. Furman found its way back UNTIL 2002. I SAW THE WAY THINGS From 1974 to 1999, the to the NCAAs in 2004 and teams played in 20 AIAW/ 2005 behind Jenny Suh; an- WERE GOING." NCAA tournaments and other big jump seemed likely —DOTTIE PEPPER '87, WHO HAS 17 LPGA TOUR VICTORIES

FURMAN | SPRING 2015 24 Notes from the Field

TO EXPECT FURMAN TO MATCH DOLLARS WITH BEHEMOTHS LIKE ALABAMA IS UNREALISTIC, EVEN IN A SPORT LIKE WOMEN'S GOLF, AND THE FINANCIAL ARMS RACE THAT BEGAN IN THE 1990S HAS BEEN DIFFICULT ON A STORIED CLUB LIBERAL ARTS Along with her teammates, Reona Hirai ’18 is part of a promising new generation of Furman golfers. SCHOOLS. recruiting in those years was DOLLARS AND SENSE Alabama’s student paper, The athletic budgets, but the detrimental. “The players who To expect Furman to match Crimson White, at the time. school estimated it would save were there were not motivated dollars with behemoths like “To us, he was never given the $375,000–$400,000 annually and not happy,” she says. Alabama is unrealistic, even in benefits he could have been when it proposed the elimina- Ekey followed Suh and a sport like women’s golf, and given.” tion of the men’s golf team in Sturm to Alabama following the the financial arms race that Furman athletic director February of 2014 as part of an 2007 season, and in 2012, after began in the 1990s has been Gary Clark ’74, who has been effort to make up a $6.4 million Furman failed to qualify for re- particularly difficult on small on the job since 2000, admits budget deficit. It’s likely more gionals for the second season in liberal arts schools. Potter nev- the school embraced the status is spent on the women, which a row, Hanna was let go—a little er publicly blamed his leaving quo too enthusiastically. “Not is a lot to be sure, but a drop in more than a month after Potter’s on lack of resources, but some so much cuts as the budget the bucket compared to what Crimson Tide won the national of his players did. didn’t grow to keep pace with major Division I programs championship. With the talent “I think all of us figured the additional costs to compete devote to the sport. level lower than it had ever been, he’d retire [at Furman]. I don’t on a national level,” he says. Golf alumni rallied to save it was critical to make the correct think Furman ever really ap- “I do not think we had the re- the men’s program. Specifics coaching call this time. But that preciated what Mic did for the sources in place, bottom line.” weren’t released, though at wasn’t the only issue that needed girls on the golf team,” Sarah Clark says Furman does not the time of the announcement to be addressed. (Johnston) Sargent ’04 told disclose the size of specific of the elimination Clark said

25 FURMAN | SPRING 2015 Notes from the Field it would take a $9 million endowment to earn enough in- terest to pay for the program. That’s not as unusual as it may sound. All athletic depart- ments rely on donations for the majority of their funding, and at a school like Furman, with a small enrollment and a small alumni base, those donations become even more important. “Alums often ask: ‘Why do you need our support? Isn’t Furman supporting the program?’ To be competitive at a high level, particularly a national level, it takes a lot of resources,” Clark says. “Furman invests a tremendous amount of money every year in the athletic department. We’re talking millions. [But] in this day and age, you cannot be successful without the passion, commitment, and investment VALENTINA ROMERO ’16 LAURA DEMARCO ’15 of your alums and friends of the program in any sport at any level.… It’s all Division I schools that find themselves in “I think with Furman’s bud- a small school to be able to “[The endowment] allows that position.” get they were thinking there compete with a larger school us to offer the full number of Kelley Hester was shocked was no way they were going because at that time none of scholarships the NCAA allows when she was fired after five to be able to hire an experi- the colleges were putting a lot us to offer,” Clark says. “In seasons by Georgia, her alma enced coach. They were largely of money into women’s athlet- addition to that, through dona- mater, a week before Hanna looking at a pool of assistant ics,” King says. tions we can enhance some was let go. She reached out coaches or people with not a lot Those times have passed, salaries, some operating bud- to Potter about the Furman of coaching experience,” says and King recognized early in gets, so that we can compete opening. Hester had started Hester, who knew Furman’s her pro career that if Furman where we need to and we can the women’s golf program accomplished players mostly by women’s golf was to remain attract the kind of coaching it at Nevada-Las Vegas and reputation. “[They] pitched in nationally relevant it needed takes to compete on that level. coached , currently so that it could even happen.” help. Exactly how much alum- [Alumni] make the difference. the second-ranked woman It wasn’t the first time. But nae have spent on the women’s Furman provides the basics, in the world, at Arkansas the question for the alumnae program over the years is not but it’s the alumni giving, and before taking the Georgia job. was: How much longer would public knowledge, but it’s safe that’s true in cross-country Coaches with those credentials they be supporting the pro- to say the amount has been and football and a number of don’t usually end up at places gram at this level? substantial. our other sports.” like Furman, but places like In King’s day, the concept King created the hugely Furman’s golf alums don’t Furman don’t usually have of an athletic scholarship successful Furman Pro-Am in mind giving. But they aren’t alumnae like King, Daniel, was a fantasy to women. Gary 1982, and before it was discon- sure they agree with the Pepper, and Cindy Davis ’84, Meredith didn’t even make tinued in 2005 the tournament school’s definition of “basics” who finished second in the 1983 the trip to Michigan to coach raised more than $2 million when it comes to sustaining a NCAA tournament and was the in the 1976 national tour- and created an endowment nationally competitive wom- president of Nike Golf until she nament because there was that pays for more than two of en’s golf program. retired in October. They, along no money to send him. This the six women’s scholarships. “Beth and Betsy and I do- with longtime benefactor Scott approach, however, made for Significant individual gifts also nated significantly back in the Timmons Hipp, came up with a lot of parity. “When I was built Furman’s REK Center for mid-90s to get the REK Center the money needed. playing it wasn’t unusual for Intercollegiate Golf. and the practice facility up,

FURMAN | SPRING 2015 26 27 FURMAN Taylor Totland ’17 fakes ashot,she Even when impresses. FORE!

| SPRING 2015 Nptes From The Feild

ART CREDIT ART CREDIT on grabbingthebest South a topfocus, withan emphasis really neededtohappen.” turning Furman around,which man. She’s agreatcoach.She’s “I feelsoluckythatshe’s at Fur she was atArkansas,” Lambsays. one. “Kelley recruitedmewhen in Hester seemstobeasound Three seasonsin,theinvestment [nationally relevant].” tools thatarenecessary tostay tohaveit wouldbegood the DivisionIschools,larger but asking forparitywiththe team,” shesays. “We’re not I basketball teamorfootball tional championshipDivision They’re nottohave going ana- be inthenationalspotlight. Furman tohave isgoing to is theonlychancethat golf need, butreallyasportlike don’t getthesupportthatyou its flagshipprogramafloat. and should—domoretokeep she alsobelieves Furman can— never have anSECbudget,but kind offrustrating attimes.” to helpthemsurvive. Itgets nate every yeartotheprogram All ofusprettygolf. muchdo- would like tosee,[or]men’s there forwomen’s thatwe golf “The moneyisdefinitelynot team atthislevel forsolong. alumnae canonlysustain the some sortoffashion.” plus alsoraisemoremoneyin cost ofaliberalartseducation figure outa way tocontrolthe and we’re tohave going to tobeinthatsamegoing boat, tually, thegirlsareprobably guys’ [team]facedthat.Even- infused intotheprogram.The to have tobemoremoney Pepper says. “There’s going compensation competitive,” the programtokeep Kelley’s and thenwealsocontributeto BACK TO THE FUTURE Hester hasmaderecruiting “You always feellike you King knows Furman will Daniel agreesthatthe - “For several yearstherewas a deserves creditforthataswell. difference inthemood. Hester but nolessimportantisthe dins arebackinthetop30.’” you how happy Iammy Pala- says. “She said, ‘Ijust can’t tell “Dottie was tearful,” Hester means tothosewhobuiltit. selves how muchtheprogram TN, theplayers saw for them- Intercollegiate inKnoxville, award attheMercedez-Benz but whenPepper received an or reopeninganLPGApipeline, another nationalchampionship the LadyPaladins getting conference.” of thetopfive players inthe conference buttohave five “My isnot goal just towinthe how itusedtobe,” Hester says. six intheconference,whichis have fourplayers inthetop player inSouthCarolina.“We Bovender, thethird-ranked next season,asdoesAnnika in Ohio, joinstheprogram ford, thesecond-ranked player tournament drought. jeopardy, asisFurman’s NCAA ence appearstobeinserious hold ontheSouthernConfer tanooga’s five-year strangle- latest nationalpoll,andChat- the Paladins are26thinthe After bottoming outinthe80s, and freshmanAliceChen’18. junior Valentina Romero’16, Jacqueline ’18, Bendrick average, followed by freshman fall seasonwithasizzling71.8 a senior. Totland finishedthe only LauraDeMarco’15is have,” Hester says. better players thanwhatyou fastto getgood isrecruit of theday thenumberoneway players improve, butattheend better by helpingourcurrent grasp. “We’ve beenabletoget started eludingFurman’s Carolina players thathad Notes from the Field More difficulttoquantify It’s tooearlytothinkabout Even better, Haylee Har On thecurrentroster, - - with themen,too, therewas here, andwithwhathappened the wholewomen’s deal golf lot ofnegative energyaround can doit.” just alittle moresupport they the rightdirection,andwith King asks. in “They’re going that’s existed atFurman?” en’s orany golf other sport tive publicitytoFurman: wom- what hasbroughtmoreposi- ing thatway. it’s awesome.” the women’s program.Ithink tually I’m superexcited about “I feelvery optimistic andac- now,” Kingsays. Daniel: Adds be there.I’m abigsupporter they make nationals, Iwant to are nearlyasrejuvenated. “If and keep doingit.” just makesout youwant togo far. It’s thebiggestmotivator. It light ofmy careerthus college here. That’s probablythehigh- won atournamentsinceI’d been spring seasontostart. We hadn’t season ended,wewanted the years, adds, “As soonasthefall holdover fromthepre-Hester in awhile.” flying high.Ihadn’t seenthat in Knoxville, theywerejust their tailsoff.WhenI saw them having agreattimeworking play-hard philosophy. Kidsare operates by thework-hard, was,” says Pepper. “She really foundation ofwhatFurman things.” see. [Hester] isdoingfantastic says. “It’s areallyneatthingto being atpractice,” Kenoyer and just how muchtheyenjoy you canseeitintheirfaces “Every by timeIgo Furman, that poppedout.” there’s beenlike thisrainbow Hester says. “Thissemester just kindofadarkcloud,” “Over thelast 40years, And theywant tokeep feel- King, Daniel,andPepper DeMarco, whoisthelone “She’s backtothe gone The alumnaehave noticed. F

FURMAN Award-winning

Sara Anne (Timms) McGetrick ’85 SoCon teamchampionships FURMAN IN THE LPGA Sarah (Johnston) Sargent ’04 Caroline (Peek) Blaylock ’95 Denise Baldwin-Killeen ’84 national championship national tournaments BY THE NUMBERS (three wins,10 top10s) (three wins,12top10s)

Ashli Price-Bunch ’97 Melissa Whitmire ’80 SoCon indivivdual (35 wins,80top10s) (34 wins,86top10s) (19 wins,110 top10s)

Diana D’Alessio ’97 top-five finishes Brandi Jackson ’03 championships Beth Solomon ’74 Dottie Pepper ’87

Sherri Turner ’79 LPGA players Beth Daniel ’78 Maggie Will ’87 Cindy Ferro ’76 | (three top10s) Jen Hanna ’98 Betsy King ’77 Joan Delk ’83 (nine top10s) FURMAN (two top10s) (five top 10s) SPRING 2015 28 (12 top10s) 23 13 13 17 7 1