Spring Break
UNT Golfers recognized for academic, athletic prowess
Richards, Rose at top of class
Sean Ryan
Issue date: 7/24/08 Section: SPORTS
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To qualify for a Division I player like Rose and Richards, golfers must compete in at least 50 percent of their school's scheduled competitive rounds while holding a 3.5 grade-point average.
Richards, who carried the second lowest stroke average on the women's team last season, is pursuing a double major in history and kinesiology. She said to be able to compete at such a high level while maintaining her grades, she must keep her priorities straight.
"School and golf come first," Richards said. "I'm pretty hard on myself."
Richards also battled injuries over the past season. She said she had two shoulder surgeries in less than one year and is still recovering from her most recent surgery at the conclusion of last season.
She returned to playing competitive golf near her hometown of Andrews, Texas, while taking a summer class online from UNT.
Rose is a junior accounting major and spends most of her time in school when she is not on the golf course. She played in nearly every event last season for the Mean Green, missing only one event because of illness.
"It's really difficult," Rose said. "You want to go to tournaments so bad, but it's stressful to make that work up."
Rose said she took 16 hours during both the fall and spring semesters that spanned last year's golf season. She is currently attempting to complete another 15 hours this summer, after which she says she will be listed as a senior.
Rose still has two years of eligibility left to play National College Athletic Association golf, and said it will not get any easier in the future.
"It's definitely tough," she said. "I'll be studying for my master's degree during my last year of eligibility."
Richards, Rose and the rest of the golf team will return to action in the fall. No date has been set for the team's first event.
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