Grunden leaves BG golf program

Susy Grunden made quite an impact during her short time as a member of Bowling Green’s women’s golf team.

But as quickly as Grunden burst onto the scene, the Texas native has decided that in order to achieve her
goals in golf she must leave the winter climate of northwest Ohio and move closer to home.
Grunden confirmed Monday she is leaving BGSU and will join the Texas A&M golf team effective this
semester.
On Dec. 1, Grunden made BG head coach Stephanie Young aware she would not be returning. Shortly after, BG
issued a press release stating Grunden was leaving the school "to pursue a professional
career."
According to Grunden, the path to the pros begins with joining a college program that can play outdoors
year-round.
"I will definitely finish out my collegiate career and get my degree in business management,"
Grunden said. "And from then on, once I finish, then we’ll see what that holds as far as
professionally."
In just 11/2 seasons as a Falcon, the sophomore set the BG single-season scoring record and holds the
lowest 18-, 36- and 54-hole scores in school history. Last, summer she qualified for the U.S. Women’s
Amateur, the top event for non-professionals in the country.
"I just wanted to take my game to the next level," said Grunden, a native of Krum, Texas.
"To do that, I needed to play 12 months out of the year. I needed to be closer to my swing coach
back here in Texas.
"It was just a really hard decision. But I mainly think the weather was a big factor."
Although Young – who was one of the first to recruit Grunden as a high school junior – is disappointed in
Grunden’s decision, there wasn’t much the fifth-year Falcon coach could do to change her leading
scorer’s mind.
Young declined to comment on the specifics of Grunden’s decision as far as attending another school.
"The decision was sudden. It was not expected," Young said. "I’m disappointed at the fact
that the commitment piece to our program, her commitment to her teammates … Obviously with this
decision she hasn’t fulfilled that part for the four years. So I’m deeply disappointed about that.
"Aside from that fact, she and I have been in constant communication through this process, through
the transition," Young added. "At this point I have to respect her decision, let her do what
she is going to do for her next step."
Once her release from BGSU was official, Grunden sent out e-mails to a list of schools closer to her
home, informing them that she was looking to continue her collegiate career. Texas A&M was the
school that was the "best fit," Gruden said.
"It was something that was in my head throughout the fall, but I didn’t think it would happen. I
talked to my parents about it, but then we just decided to forget about it and stay focused and
committed to Bowling Green, which I did.
"It wasn’t until it got cold in the offseason that I was realizing, ‘Yeah, I’m not getting better. I
need to be able to practice outside.’"
Grunden declined to comment on any scholarship she may or may not have received with Texas A&M,
but stated that the Aggies’ facilities and the school’s location were the main deciding factors.
"Mainly they have top-class, first-class facilities. I know that will be a big help in my
game," Grunden said. "Not to say that Bowling Green did not, especially now that I’ve gone
around and visited other schools.
"(BG) has great facilities. The golf room. The weight training room … They’re competing at a high
level," she added. "It’s really just mainly the weather that’s the difference."
Grunden is already enrolled at Texas A&M and begins class next week. As of Monday, she was not
listed on the Aggies’ roster on the school’s official Web site.
As for the Falcons, Young must now replace her leading scorer, but that’s something that the coach feels
her team is more than capable of doing.
"Although she’s had a significant impact on the program – no question – no one is bigger than this
team," Young said. "We’ve got seven young ladies that are committed to doing what we set out
to do for this season and for their careers. And none of that changes.
"Will I miss her? Am I disappointed I won’t get to see her walk across the Stroh Center and graduate
and what might have been for her piece of history to continue at BGSU? Absolutely I’m disappointed about
that.
"But that’s the name of the game. She made the best decision for her in her mind and I wish her the
best. I still care about her," Young added. "She will remain a piece of BGSU history, but we
are going to move forward and we are just as strong as a team going forward."