Southern Illinois ready to represent at Saluki Invitational

Monday, October 10

Cape Girardeau, Mo.

Southern Illinois University

Southern Illinois

10/09/2022 | 1:54:00 | Women's Golf

By: By Tyler Dixon

When Southern Illinois tees off Monday in the Saluki Invitational at Dalhousie Golf Club, it'll be the first tournament Cindy Bodmer will host as she was named the head coach of the Salukis just before the season started.

Bodmer is no stranger to the coaching ranks as she built and turned the Rend Lake College women's golf program into a region power.

For her, it's about figuring out how to help each player on the roster.

"Our team is very diverse and each players games are very different but I'm learning each player's strengths and weaknesses and I am enjoying coaching these players," she said. "We are working on making better decisions on the course and I hope to see our scores lower with each tournament."

Bodmer will send a team of five and three individuals to the tournament that tees off Monday morning in Cape Girardeau, Mo.

The Salukis are playing in their fourth tournament of the fall as they've played in Missouri, Alabama and Colorado so far this season.

Dalhousie brings its own set of challenges the Dawgs will have to navigate.

"The Nicklaus designed course will be one of the best courses we play all season," Bodmer said. "The finishing holes are some of the most challenging that I have played and we look forward to the challenge. We're very fortunate to host the Salukis Invitational on such a prestigious golf course. We can't thank the staff enough for making us feel so welcomed."

Bodmer has coached a lot of teams and she said the Salukis have already made an impact on her.

"I enjoy coaching these players. Their ball striking is very impressive and I'm learning their abilities," she said. "We have made some wonderful memories this fall and I look forward to work hard in the off season in the weight room and making some changes to get them even better. My goal for this team is shooting 295 and I know they are capable and it's my job to get them there!"

Bodmer has three seniors on the roster this season, including Secilia Ho.

Ho said she's been fortunate to have both coach Bodmer and coach Sarah Haas in her corner.

"I feel like the team chemistry this year is one of the best it's been since I've been here and we have a ton of talent and potential," she said.

Ho has been one of several Salukis to be in the program for several years and she said it's been special to the everyone's growth.

"It's great to play a sport you love with your friends right with you," she said. "It's also fun to see how everyone improves throughout the years and how each other's games evolve. We spend a lot of time and hard work together so when you play with familiar faces it makes celebrating each other's successes even sweeter."

Kylee Vaughan is in her second season of being a Saluki and said she already feels more comfortable this season.

"My mindset is always to improve from where I was. I know what to expect this year, so I can really focus on achieving my own and the team goals," she said.

Both Vaughan and Ho said playing at a course like Dalhousie is something they don't take for granted.

"We are so fortunate to be able to practice and host at a place like Dalhousie," Vaughan said. "The staff truly is amazing and so good to us. It makes such a big difference getting to practice and host at a place like that."

Ho agreed.

"Dalhousie is definitely a top-notch course and we're super lucky to be able to use their facilities," she said. "I'm also grateful to be playing/practicing out there and it's an added bonus that it's relatively close from campus."

Both players said the team is close to breaking through to another level but each have a different idea of what success is for them this week.

For Vaughan, she wants to avoid big numbers and hit as many greens as she can.

Ho said she just wants to trust in herself.

"I don't really like having a certain number to shoot for because it adds extra pressure, but I believe if I trust the process and do the best I can results will follow," she said. "My coaches always tell me I have a ton of potential so being able to execute and believe in myself as much they believe in me and to make my parents and them proud would be awesome."

Ho, Vaughan and the rest of the Salukis hit the course Monday for the first two rounds of the Saluki Invitational and then play a final round on Tuesday.