Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Women's Golf prepares for Bay Tree Classic
09/22/2005 | 12:00:00 | Women's Golf
Sept. 22, 2005
By Lacole Hook
www.siusalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Women's Golf team travels to Myrtle Beach, S.C. this weekend for the Bay Tree Classic. The tournament plays 18-holes at the Bay Tree Golf Plantation Green Course on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. This is the second tournament for the Salukis who made a great showing finishing fourth last weekend at the Minnesota Invitational.
The golfers for Myrtle Beach are the same that competed in Minnesota; Natalie Parker, Josie Lowder, Samantha Sutzer, Braidy Hood and Christine Zoerlein. The Bay Tree Classic features 16 schools mostly from the South. Coach Diane Daugherty said this will be one of the most difficult tournaments of the season.
"The Myrtle Beach tournament is definitely a tough tournament with some big schools," Daugherty said. "But it's a great trip and a good opportunity for our golfers."
Even though this is a tournament the Salukis usually go to every year, Lowder and Zoerlein are the only golfers who competed in the Bay Tree Classic last year. Daugherty is hoping to build on the success of the first tournament.
"Hopefully we can carry over our success we had in Minnesota," said Daugherty. "We need to lower our scores and not do some of the stupid things we did in Minnesota that cost us some shots."
Daugherty is not so worried about what place the Salukis finish, but more about how the team plays.
"I am looking for us to shoot 305 or better," said Daugherty. "If the conditions are good, and we do that, I will be happy no matter where we finish in the field."
Golfing without Kelly Gerlach has added a challenge for the Salukis, but it is one Daugherty is sure the team can overcome.
"I am very happy with the progress we are making," Daugherty said. "It is always a blow when you lose your number one player. Braidy Hood (Fr.) has been a very pleasant surprise. She averaged under 80 her first tournament, and is not happy with that, which means her goals are lofty. None of the players are really satisfied with how they played last weekend and know they can do better, so I am very happy with them."
