May 21, 2003

Grand Valley State had five women golfers named to the 2003 All-GLIAC team. Sophomores Melissa Sneller and Shannon Briggs and freshmen Kristi Vienneau and Melissa Riegle all were named to the All-GLIAC First Team. Freshman Kate MacDonald earned All-GLIAC Second Team honors.

GVSU shot a two-day total of 624, at the 2003 GLIAC Championships, two shots better than West Michigan rival Ferris State (626) to win the conference title. Grand Valley used superior depth to claim the title, placing five golfers among the top seven and six among the top 11.

Vienneau was the top Laker finisher, posting a two-day total of 154 which was good for third place overall. Sneller followed with a 155 (4th), followed by Riegle's 157 (5th) and Briggs' 160 (6th). McDonald rounded things off for the Lakers finishing 11th (168). The GLIAC title was the second one in three years (2001) for the GVSU women's golf program.

The Lakers went on to place second at the NCAA DII East Regional. GVSU shot a final round 323 to pull into second place with a three round total of 979.

Then Grand Valley clinched fourth place, its best finish ever at the NCAA National Championships, after a 325 in final round action in Howey in the Hills, Florida. The Lakers entered the day in fifth place, which they placed at last year's national tournament, but used their best round of the four day event to move up into the trophies at 153 over par.