Southern Illinoise University Athletics
Women's Golf set to open spring season in Mexico
02/10/2008 | 12:00:00 | Women's Golf
Feb. 10, 2008
By Ryan Shaw
www.siusalukis.com
CARBONDALE, Ill. - The Southern Illinois women's golf team will open its 2008 spring season in Ensada, Mexico at the Baja Invitational, which will be held at the Bajamar Oceanfront Resort.
"We're going to Baja, Mexico for the first time and everybody is excited about the trip because we've never been there before," said SIU head coach Diane Daugherty. "I think we're going into it with cautious optimism. We weren't able to start our team practice until Feb. 1 and it's only the ninth, so that's only eight days.
"I've made them play outside just about every day. It's been cold and it's been wet, but at least we've gotten to be outside and actually see ball flight. You can condition all winter, but it's different walking and carrying your bag for 36 holes and that's what we do the first day."
The tournament will feature nine teams, including Northern Illinois, Southern Mississippi, Bradley, Drake, Iowa, Kennesaw State, North Texas, USC-Upstate and Southern Illinois.
"Most of the teams are kind of like us," said Daugherty. "Northern Illinois, University of Iowa, teams that haven't been out much. I think the southern teams, Southern Mississippi for one, will have an advantage because they will have gotten to play a little bit more.
"This is the earliest we've ever competed, but we got the opportunity to go to Mexico and I thought it was a pretty neat deal and so that's why we're starting off this early."
SIU will travel senior Kelly Gerlach, senior Christine Zoerlein, senior Lauren May, junior Braidy Hood and senior Kate Laegeler. Daugherty believes that this combination will give the Salukis a good chance to be competitive in the field.
"That's the most experienced team we have, so we're hoping that their experience comes through and we can start off this spring season on a high note," said Daugherty.
The teams will play 36 holes on Monday, starting with an 8:00 a.m. shotgun start. The tournament concludes on Tuesday with a 7:30 a.m. shotgun start.
