INDIANAPOLIS - The Malone University women's golf team, led by head coach Bill Eddins, has earned the Mark Laesch Award from the Women's Golf Coaches Association of America in recognition of its impressive improvement during the 2017-18 season.

The prestigious honor is awarded to one golf program at each level of NCAA competition based on its improvement in adjusted stroke average per individual per round.  From the 2016-17 to 2017-18 seasons, the Pioneers improved by an incredible average of 14.52 which was the top mark among NCAA Division II women's teams.

"We are really excited about receiving the Mark Laesch Award," commented Eddins.  "This speaks volumes of the progress we are making as a program and reflects the commitment and effort of our players and swing coach, Mary Suitca. Our golfers are being trained by our TPI certified strength and conditioning coach Bob Suitca, and this is great for our team and coaches to see that our hard work and dedication is paying off.  We are committed to being a nationally competitive program in NCAA Division II."

The Pioneers broke the program's all-time 18-hole and 36-hole scoring records in late September at Ohio Dominican University's Cumberland Trail Classic with identical rounds of 322 on both days for a total of 644.  Malone later captured the team title at Washington & Jefferson College's Rossin Memorial before wrapping up the season with a fifth-place finish at the Great Midwest Athletic Conference Championships.

Malone ranked fifth in the Great Midwest in team scoring average with a 340.8 number per 18 holes. Freshman Christina Williams paced the Pioneers with a team-leading 80.81 scoring average and recorded five top-10 finishes in 2017-18.

Melanie Smith also improved from an 86.87 to an 81.85, more than five strokes of differential from her junior campaign and senior season. Similarly, Kelli's Caroll's season average in 2016-17 of 94.00 improved to 89.33 in 13.5 rounds played. Lauren Griggy also played double-digit round totals and had a scoring average around 88.00.

The Pioneers are set to begin their 2018-19 campaign on September 7-8 at Mercyhurst University's Evann Parker Memorial.