Since the Divisions II and III Women's Golf Championships split into separate division tournaments in 2000, women's golf has been growing, and scores have been lowering.

In two years, more than 80 programs have been added in the two divisions, 49 in Division II and 37 in Division III. Division II also has added regional tournaments to its championships format to accommodate the growth. And all the while, scores are reflecting that the growth is not just quantity, but quality.

Many believe the additional championships opportunities are the reason for the scores of new programs -- and the scores of better players in the two divisions. Separate Divisions II and III championships mean more teams and individuals have more opportunities for postseason play, an experience both divisions find valuable.

In 1999 with a shared championship, 27 student-athletes competed for Division II. In 2000, an additional 21 student-athletes participated, increasing Division II's total to 48. And now that Division III has gained its own championship, the Division II field is set for 60 participants in 2002.

While most agree that the combined championship was successful, separate championships have provided many additional benefits.

"We have forged our own identity with Division II golf since we have our own championship and now have added regionals," said Ed Hoffmeyer, athletics director at Tusculum University and chair of the Division II Women's Golf Committee.

Kim Kincer, head women's golf coach at defending Division III champion Methodist College, agrees that different championships have been the way to go.

"I think it's been a good change because all three divisions need to be strong and have their own identity," she said. "Since we are our own entity now, Division III schools can become stronger and better. When we shared a championship, people assumed Division II would win. This change has been good for the student-athletes and that is the most important thing."

Reasons to add

Arkansas Tech University is one of 10 Division II institutions that have added women's golf for this year. Roy McSpadden, head women's golf coach at Arkansas Tech, said the biggest motivator for adding golf at his campus was to comply with Title IX, but he was quick to say, "What better sport can there be to add?"

Lyn Maurer, athletics director at Kalamazoo College and chair of the Division III Women's Golf Committee, agreed.

"People are adding sports," she said, "because most schools are still trying to comply with the first and best prong of Title IX (which is equal participation, requiring that women and men are provided with equitable opportunities to participate in sports). Women's golf is benefiting from those requirements."

While the main reason for expansion may be Title IX compliance, other factors come into play. In particular, golf is an easy sport to sponsor since practice and competition facilities already exist and the student-athletes own most of the equipment, clubs and shoes included.

Ed Harris, athletics director at West Texas A&M University, added golf to his athletics program this year for the second time after dropping it a few years ago. Strong regional interest in the sport and increasing high-school participation helped Harris' decision.

"It is easier to find women's golfers than to find female athletes in other sports, such as tennis, and there is a solid pool of talent in women's golf we don't want to miss out on," Harris said.

Cuts harder to make

Competitively, women's golfers are turning in better numbers. As a result, lower scores are needed to make the championship every year.

"Our girls have to be at the top of their game all the time to stay competitive," Kincer said. "Last year, we broke 300 in one round and a few days later, Concordia College (Moorhead) broke that record. That is what women's golf is all about."

Last year's all-Americans may have to fight for a place in the championship tournament since freshmen who have been exposed to more golf at a higher competitive level are coming in with better scores than many upperclassmen.

"Regardless of division, our freshmen aren't really freshmen," said Cindy Ho, head women's golf coach at Longwood College. "They are coming in leading teams. Overall, athletes are coming in better-trained and more focused on mental preparation, fitness and weightlifting. All these factors lead to better quality, more competitive collegiate golf."

As quality improves, championship format changes become possible. Hoffmeyer, the Division II committee chair, said regionals now are imperative for Division II because they provide more postseason opportunities and allow athletes to test themselves against quality teams.

"The original proposal for adding regionals included institutions paying their own way," he said. "Even if we had to pay our own way, we would have done it. Fortunately, we don't have to."

Women's golf is now like other Division II sports where teams play their way through regionals into the finals.

"In the past," said Cindy Ho, "the best teams weren't always selected to the tournament. Now, there are more teams that have a fair shot at going and being competitive. The disadvantage is that an entire year comes down to 36 holes, increasing the pressure to do well."

Although the idea of adding regionals in Division III has been discussed, it will not happen this year. Kalamazoo's Maurer sees the pros and cons but said her committee would prefer to expand the championship field instead of adding regionals.

"The Division II philosophy is more regional than Division III," she said. "Division II golf has been around much longer, and the Division III regionals are so geographically diverse. It would be difficult to support regionals at this time."

Michelle Morgan, head women's golf coach at Amherst College and former chair of the Division III Women's Golf Committee, also thinks it is too soon for Division III regionals.

"Some coaches might argue that if we are trying to maximize opportunity, then this is the way to go," Morgan said. "But the reality of the situation is that someone needs to pay for it, and many schools are unwilling or unable to finance that type of regional program."

Methodist's Kincer agrees that until the regions are stronger and more competitive, Division III should keep its current approach.