Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Women's Golf to Wrap Up Fall Season in Hawaii
10/22/2004 | 12:00:00 | Women's Golf
Oct. 22, 2004
By Shalae Schulte
www.siusalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois University women's golf team faces the toughest field of the season as the Salukis travel to Kapolei, Hawaii for the Kent Youel Invitational Tue. and Wed. Oct. 26-27 at the Kapolei Golf Course.
The 15-team field includes schools from the Big Ten (Indiana), Pac-10 (Arizona State, UCLA, Oregon and Oregon State) and Big 12 (Oklahoma and Colorado) conferences. Oklahoma is back to defend their 2003 title, while the Salukis hope to improve their 17th place finish from a year ago.
"This tournament is an opportunity for us to see the top teams in the nation and realize that we don't hit the ball much differently than they do," said Daugherty "The girls can see that we can compete and that's an important realization. It's definitely a turning point in your program when you're playing the best and you can compete with them."
SIU is back after a third place finish at the Lady Indian Classic hosted by Arkansas State Oct. 11-12. Sophomore Kelly Gerlach led the Salukis shooting a 75 to tie for first in the rain-shortened tournament. Gerlach finished second in a playoff while teammate Natalie Parker shot a 77, good enough for a tie for third place.
"We're going into this tournament with nothing to lose," said Daugherty. "Last year's scores reflected a bit of intimidation, but I don't expect that this year because we've got some girls that have competed here before and as a team we've shot some good scores so far this fall,"
This tournament will wrap up fall play for the women until they travel to Scottsdale, Ariz. in March for the East/West Rio Verde Invitational.
