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Women's golf team ranked nationally as all-scholar team

By Amy Gage
July 21, 2006

The St. Olaf women's golf team had a collective GPA of 3.65 during the past academic year, giving it a third-place finish among colleges and universities in Division I, II and III in the National Golf Coaches Association (NCGA).

"This is huge news," says head women's golf coach Le Ann Finger, noting the team's placement above both Carleton College and Wartburg College.

"This is the first time St. Olaf has been ranked by the National Golf Coaches Association, and it's quite an honor to land in the third spot," Finger says. "It speaks well to the academic climate at St. Olaf and the talent of the women on the golf team. Following a similar ranking by Golf Digest last August, I think we've put St. Olaf College on the map as far as schools that excel in academics and golf."

The NCGA, which has more than 400 members, is a non-profit organization representing women's collegiate golf coaches.

The association took team GPA's from 120 members whose teams had averages of 3.20 or better. Only the University of South Carolina and Bradley University ranked higher than St. Olaf.

More on Golf Digest
Last September, for the first time, Golf Digest identified the best colleges for men and women golfers. St. Olaf was included in the ranking of top colleges, with the women's team placing in the Academics First category.

One of three categories, "Academics First" is for students who want to attend the best school for academics but want an excellent golf experience.

With 27 sports, St. Olaf offers more competitive athletic opportunities than any other college in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. A Division III school, St. Olaf emphasizes the importance of athletics alongside academics.

Contact David Gonnerman at 507-786-3315 or gonnermd@stolaf.edu.