Berndt Helps Golf Team Succeed

By Tara Sowle
UW-River Falls Sports Information

The UW-River Falls women's golf team has a great team this season thanks to the help from its seniors.

One stand out senior this year is Ellen Berndt. The Rice Lake native has been golfing since she was 10 years old. During her high school days she played on the basketball and golf teams. Her one
younger brother Phil, 19 years old, golfed in high school and her parents are both golfers as well.

Last summer she went to Braselton, Ga., to work at the Reunion Golf Club, but normally she works at the Turtle Back Golf Course during the summers in her hometown. She has worked there for a long time and says she loves being able to golf there.

She transferred to River Falls for her sophomore year from St. Mary's, Minn., University. She made the change for several reasons but mostly because she wanted to go to a bigger school. She says she has had
a lot more fun at UWRF and likes the classes as much as one can. She plans to graduate in December with a degree in accounting.

Jeff Bekhof, the Falcon women's golf head coach, has been coaching the team since its inception in 2002. Berkhof said that he felt, "fortunate to start out the season with a player like Ellen."

According to Berndt, Berkhof's motivating coaching style keeps the team focused and energized. "You couldn't ask for a better coach," said Berndt.

She said that practices have been going well. The team has been focused and concentrates on developing skills.

She enjoys golf because it is an individual sport yet a person plays for a team.

Her outlook for the season is good. "I'm expecting good things (this season)," Berndt said.

In the team's opening match, at the Eau Claire Invitational, the Falcons set a school record for a first day score (339). The Falcons finished ninth in the 13-team field. Berndt was the team's top finisher with rounds of 80 and 89 for a two-day total of 169.

On Sept. 18-19 the Falcons placed second at the Concordia-St. Paul Invitational. Berndt was again the team's top finisher placing in a tie for second place shooting 85-86, ending her weekend with a 171.

Ellen Berndt