|
After regrouping, and recognizing that the third round of play needed to be better than the rest, the Vandal women’s golf team pulled through for their best round at the Far West Regional Preview.
The women played two rounds Monday in Lincoln, Calif., averaging as a team a 310 on the first round, and a 322 on the second round.
“This tournament was not one of our best, especially the second round,” coach Lisa Wasinger-Johnson said. “It affected our placing as a team, but then we came back and shot better.”
Sophomore Amanda Jacobs was the Vandals top finisher with a 14 over 230 to finish in a tie for 32nd. Renee Skidmore shot a 241 to tie for 25th, while senior Kelly Nakashima tied for 66th with a shot of 237. Senior Jenna Huff and freshman Dani Madden tied for 86th with a shot of 243.
Refocusing, mentally preparing and creating team unity are going to be the basis for preparation for the upcoming Western Athletic Championship. The WAC championship is three weeks away and Wasinger-Johnson said she has strong aspirations and excitement for her team ahead.
“We need to get excited because we have the opportunity to win,” she said. “We need all five players to play their best three rounds of golf.”
Last year the Vandal women completed the season as WAC champions, and are striving to do so again this spring.
“If we play our best, we will win the WAC, and get our automatic bid to the NCAA Regional Tournament for the second year in a row,” Wasinger-Johnson said.
The team is not practicing the next few days in order to catch up on schoolwork and rest from all the traveling. Starting next week, the team will be back on the course with focused training to work on the small technical aspects to the game, she said.
“We will be working on our short game, ways to execute shots, and most importantly create positive energy for the tournament,” Wasinger-Johnson said.
Jenna Huff, Kelly Nakashima and Renee Skidmore are all seniors and will be playing their final three rounds of collegiate golf at the WAC Championship.
“This is very exciting for them especially, (being seniors) that is why we need to repeat another WAC Championship,” she said.
Golf at the collegiate level is a two season sport; taking place in both the fall and the spring. Over the course of this spring the women’s golf team has made improvements with their putting and feel for the ball, she said.
With a couple more weeks of hard work before the championship Wasinger-Johnson said she expects even more improvements from her team.
“We have not always posted the numbers we have wanted at the tournaments, but with some minor improvements over the next few weeks, we should be ready,” Wasinger-Johnson said.
Even with the unpredictable weather during their spring season, the Vandal women have been able to execute in many of their tournaments, she said.
“We cannot use the weather as an excuse for a bad round of play, but it is difficult when we do not practice in the same weather conditions we play in,” Wasinger-Johnson said.
Sophomore Beth Stonecypher will not be competing due to her knee injury.
“Beth is recovering well, and it’s a shame we donít have her on the roster,” Wasinger-Johnson said.
The WAC Championships will be held in Fresno, Calif. on April 21-23.
 Add as favorites (28) | Views: 371
|
