Milligan history was made last week as Senior Jenny Simonsen was awarded the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Women’s Golfer of the Week after winning her first collegiate tournament at the Buffs’ East Tennessee Collegiate.
Simonsen’s 36-hole score is one of the best in Milligan’s history and is the only the eighth medalist in the program’s history to gain an individual win. Her two round score of 145 helped lead Milligan to a second place finish overall.
Not only is it a historic win for Milligan’s golf program, but also a special one for Simonsen on a more personal level.
“I honestly hadn’t even thought about it, like what it means for the program,” she said. “Getting that recognition, especially after four years of playing golf, feels really good and I couldn’t have played that well in the tournament without the support of my dad and my team.”
As an exercise science major with hopes of becoming a physician assistant, she believes that school should always come before golf.
“My dad might be more invested in my golf success than I am,” she joked.
As it is Simonsen’s senior year at Milligan, she recognizes that this is the last opportunity to play golf at a competitive level.
“After four years, every round feels a bit different,” she said. “Knowing this is my last chance to play at this level, it’s a bittersweet feeling. This is it for me.”
The Women’s golf team will compete this week at the UVA Wise hosted Cavalier Shootout, times to be announced.
Headline Photo: Jenny Simonson takes home historic win.