PHOTO GALLERY: Golfer keeps mom in mind as she plays

September 5, 2012 | 7:52 p.m. CDT

Redshirt freshman Michelle Butler is preparing for the MU team's first golf tournament of the season in Lincoln, Neb. Butler marks her balls and adorns her bag with orange ribbons, in honor of her mother, who has multiple sclerosis.

Redshirt freshman Michelle Butler heads toward the fourth hole green at The Club at Old Hawthorne golf course on Wednesday. After accidentally striking a buried rock with her club and fracturing her wrist, Butler sat out last year's season. | Benjamin Hoste

Redshirt freshman Michelle Butler plays a round of golf Wednesday at The Club at Old Hawthorne gold course in preparation for the team's season-opening tournament this weekend in Lincoln, Neb. | Benjamin Hoste

Redshirt freshman Michelle Butler draws an orange ribbon on her golf ball on Wednesday. The ribbon symbolizes her mother's ongoing battle with multiple sclerosis and raises awareness for the disease. | Benjamin Hoste

Michelle Butler prepares to tee off on the seventh hole at The Club at Old Hawthorne golf course Wednesday. | Benjamin Hoste