'Winds golf looking ahead
Lindsay O'Connell
Issue date: 3/30/05 Section: Sports
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After a heartbreaking last-place finish at the Southern Illinois University Saluki Invitational Monday and Tuesday, the Westerwinds now have their sights set on upcoming events.
"We were very prepared mentally, but fundamentally not as prepared because we haven't been able to go outside due to the weather not cooperating the last couple of weeks," said coach Andrea Keene. "We had a lot of high goals set for the team and individually, and we just weren't able to meet those goals at the tournament due to lack of weather cooperation and being able to practice."
The Westerwinds had a two-round total of 725, with senior captain Janelle Bush leading the way. Bush shot a two-round total of 177 (91-86), and placed 61.
"She has probably been the biggest asset to the program from the very beginning," Keene said of Bush. "She was on the team when it started in 2001 and every year, and she constantly challenges the team and brings everyone up to their next level of play."
The team's focus at this point is the Mid-Conference Championship in mid April, which the Westerwinds will host.
"Every tournament has been a stepping stone, and I think we'll be ready to play when the (conference) tournament comes," Keene said. "The tournament at Southern gave our team a boost to work hard; everyone knew when they were handing in their scorecards that they were a much better player."
The Harry Mussato Golf Course, where the Westerwinds practice and the conference championship host, is "one of the hardest courses in the conference," Keene said.
Bush added this is a course that other teams don't want to come to.
"With an advantage at home, you have to know where to hit the ball in order to play well," Bush said.
Although their defeat at the Saluki Invitational was tough, the Westerwinds believe that their home-course advantage will be a huge benefit come time for the conference championship.
"We're out here every single day, even when it's snowing, strategizing and that will be a huge advantage for us," Bush said. "The other teams just get a practice round and we're in our own back yard."
The Westerwinds' next chance to prove the recent weather has benefited them will be at the Loyola Invitational April 11 and 12.
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