Junior duo taking IU to top of leaderboards

In baseball, a 1-2 punch in the starting rotation can elevate a mediocre team to a World Series title. The arena of women's golf is no different. Not to suggest that the IU's women's golf team was mediocre last year, but its inability to achieve consistency hindered its chances to win a tournament. The team's lack of a tournament title last year was the first such occurrence since 1987. But, with the emergence of standout juniors Karen Dennison and Danah Ford, IU has a formidable 1-2 combo playing consistent rounds of golf. The duo has led the Hoosiers to three team tournament titles this year and a No. 31 national ranking. \nComing into this season, Dennison's highest finish was fourth. This year, she has won three individual tournament titles, and has finished no lower than eighth. Ranked the No. 16 golfer in the country by GolfWeek/Sagarin ratings, Dennison has compiled a record of 525-11 this season. That means that of all the tournaments the Hoosiers have competed in, only eleven golfers have had higher scores than Dennison. Not only is she winning titles, but Dennison is doing so in record-breaking fashion. With two more victories, Dennison can tie former Hoosier All-American Erica Wicoff's record of five wins in a season. \n"My goal coming into this year was to just win one tournament," Dennison said. "Now I have won three. I didn't start the season though, thinking I was going to break any records." \nWhile Dennison has finished in the top ten in all seven of the Hoosiers' tournaments this year, Ford has placed in the top ten in five of those tournaments, and placed in the top five on three occasions. Two weeks ago at the Lady Seahawk Invitational, Ford tied her personal best 18-hole round by firing a -2 (70). She also improved on her career-best 54-hole record by five strokes. Ford made the Top 25 five times last year. \n"With golf, you get better the more you work hard," Ford said. "I think I have done that this year. Not only have I worked on my game, but my mental toughness is better as well. The preparation is the same for every tournament. It's not just a number I'm trying to shoot, but it's how I play against the golf course and myself."\nCoach Sam Carmichael certainly appreciates the consistency from his top two golfers. \n"It really makes the difference between a good team and a mediocre team," he said. "It really helps the team score."\nWhile Dennison and Ford's play continue to grab the headlines, the duo are quick to note they are not the only Hoosiers with the ability to post low scores. Senior Cara Stuckey has placed in the top 15 three times this year, and junior Ambry Bishop has finished in the top 15 twice.\n"I think it's great to have two golfers in the top ten consistently, but it's not always (Danah and myself)," Dennison said. \nSo while Dennison and Ford might not be Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling, there is no telling how many records will fall and how far this 1-2 punch can take the Hoosiers.