DETROIT (8/21/2020) -- In 2004, the University of Detroit Mercy added women's golf to its varsity sports list and the program has performed great, winning three Horizon League titles and finishing runner-up on three occasions. The Titans have claimed 22 team events and have seen eight student-athletes win 25 tournaments. 

DetroitTitans.com will now look back at the team that started it all in the original five of the 2004-2005 squad in Mandi Dupuis, Ashley Hamilton, Carrie Jensen, Becky Menefee and Rachel Merritt. 

Hitting third off the tee in the series is Carrie Jensen, who started every event as a freshman and played in every event in the first two years of the program. 

What are your memories of Detroit Mercy?
"So many great memories come back from my days at Detroit Mercy, especially with my teammates. Mandi, Ashley and I were fortunate to all come in at the same time and create a wonderful bond making the experience that much better. We shared a lot of great memories, from the trips we went on to the tournaments we played in. Being a college athlete has its challenges but it's the friendship and memories we created that made the experience that much better."
 
How did your recruiting go for the Titans?
"I never intended to play college golf. I was actually ready to go to Ferris State and to the PGA program to pursue a career in the golf world. I am from the Upper Peninsula and was not too familiar with Detroit Mercy, but I was approached about that they were starting a golf program and would like me to come for a visit. I thought there was no way I was going there, I already had orientation and attire all set for Ferris State. However, I went down for a visit and met Mandi and Ashley and got a tour of the campus and a better perspective of the University and what it had to offer which resulted in my last-minute decision and ended up being a great fit form! "
 
How did it feel to play as a freshman?
"It was a little intimidating as someone who never intended to play college golf. I was a pretty good athlete, I was recruited by Northwood to play golf and basketball so I was the top of my class from an athletic standpoint, but it was still intimidating going into college play, where it was on a much different scale than what I was use to. That was challenging but very fulfilling, because it allowed me to challenge myself and become better at golf so it definitely opened new perspectives for me in terms of worth ethic. It was exciting to pave the way for women's golf at the University."
 
How do you feel about the success of the program?
"It gives me goosebumps – it's pretty cool. Being on the first team and helping build that foundation and having an effect and influence on future recruiting. That is a big component when girls come to visit, they want to see the team demeanor and the University. It is pretty awesome to see how the team evolved overtime and winning championships and just great to know that we were a part of that foundation."
 
How did Detroit Mercy help you grow as a person?
"Detroit Mercy helped me so much. I didn't know a soul when I decided to come here, and just being so far away from my family, about seven hours, was definitely out of my comfort zone. It is not like I can just drive home for dinner and that was a challenge just learning how to live life out on my own but that truly helped me grow as an individual. From a career standout, it required me to build relationships with people I didn't know, the diversity that was there helped me shape and grow as an individual. The school itself, the academics influenced me on what I was going to do long term."
 
What was your major and what is your current profession?
"I was a business administration major and work for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and have been there since I graduated. I interned there my senior year, which was a pretty busy year along with playing golf. The day I graduated, they hired me full time and I started on the Monday after graduation and that was in 2008 with a recession so if you were able to land a job right out of college, that was a big deal and I was very fortunate. I think coming from Detroit Mercy helped me get that job and along with playing golf, that competitiveness with playing at a high level has definitely helped me in my career."
 
Do you still stay in contact with your teammates?
"Yes, we are all still pretty close. I feel so fortunate to have these relationships and the opportunity to make friends with other teams that will last a lifetime. Mandi and Ashley are two of the closest friends I have and that was due to having that opportunity to be on the golf team with them."
 
Do you still play golf?
"Everything is so different now when you have a family and children. My husband played golf at Michigan and professionally after so he is an avid golfer which makes it fun for the two of us to get out for a competitive round against each other. Golf is still a big part of our life and I'm so fortunate that my experience at UDM helped shape that."