Fairways and Greens: On the Road Again
9/19/2008 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
Fairways and Greens with Ashley Bauer
FRIDAY, SEPT. 19 C On the Road Again
And were on the road again! After playing our only home tournament last weekend, we packed the van and piled in as we headed to Michigan State for our first road trip. We were all excited for the tournament, and even more excited that we hopefully would not have to deal with rain gloves, umbrellas and delays that were experienced during our last tournament.
Although all of us, with the exception of Milena (Savich), have played on the Spartan course before, we played a practice round to refresh our memories and get a feel of the greens. It was a great day for fall golf as we all made final tune-ups to our games before heading to the tee tomorrow morning.
After finishing 18 holes we went back out to the range and putting green for a while before heading to dinner at P.F. Chang's -- Coachs favorite. We sat around the table laughing at some funny stories and relaxing for the long 36-hole day tomorrow. Finishing up dinner and heading back to the hotel a few words of inspiration were shared. We said our goodnights and headed to our rooms to do some last minute studying before hitting the bed.
Tomorrow is coming fast and were ready to get our 36-holes underway.
From the Fringe with Coach Kathy Teichert
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 17 -- A Wonderful Opening Weekend
What a week! Not only a great win, but it was exciting to see what our players are capable of doing. This is going to be an exciting year and I'm really looking forward to it. The girls really seem to be clicking.
It was fun just watching them before the tournament, during it and following. They were all very relaxed and yet excited to play. You could see their focus getting better and better throughout the week. What we did not talk about was the weather forecast! Wow! I have not seen rain like we got on Saturday in a very long time. I was not expecting that much. It came down so hard we had to delay play in the first round. During the delay, all the teams were on our main floor just having lunch and hanging out. Some played cards, others slept and relaxed.
What did our players do Well, we were upstairs in our M-Room. A majority of them had studying to do so they pulled their books out and got right down to it. Some needed help from the upperclassmen and got tutored, while others just read. It was nice to see they wanted to get caught up on their studies.
The delay lasted a few hours. While the players were hanging out, the rules official, myself and our grounds superintendant went out on the course to check out the greens and to further view the radar. It wasnt looking good! We couldnt find fair pin locations. The next thing you know, it started pouring even more. The final decision was made to cancel the day's rounds and to start fresh on Sunday.
Our player's parents joined in on our fun on Saturday night. We have always made it a tradition to have a dinner with them following our 36-hole day. They like to bring some appetizers and then we eat. After dinner, each player introduces their parents and guests and tells a little about themselves. Its a great way for everyone to get to know each other and we all have fun in the process. The dinner would not go without singing the "Victors." The parent's even get in on the act! This year's group needed a little help, but with time, I know they will rise to the occasion. It was a great evening for everyone!
Sundays forecast wasnt good so I announced to the players before heading out to our holes that it was important to keep pace as more rain was expected. The rain Gods were with us as they held off for the 18 holes. It ended up being a beautiful day and we got in all 18 holes! I was pleased with our performance, especially since anything can happen in 18 holes. Our players responded to the challenge and we ended up winning by 11. It was great to see Ashley (Bauer), and her 68, win her first tournament. She has been so close. We have told her for a while that one day it would come. This couldnt have come at a better time -- our home tournament and in front of family and friends. I was also very pleased to see the depth of our team as Andrea (Ratigan), Lydia (Benitez-Colon), Milena (Savich), Katelin (Davis), Meagan (Bauer) and Louisa (Shu) all posted solid round scores.
Next up, Michigan State, my alma mater! Most of our players have played the course before and look forward to the challenge. It will be another good test with some great Midwest teams participating.
Fairways and Greens with Lydia Bentez Coln
MONDAY, SEPT. 15 C Opening Weekend of Bonding and Trophies
We concluded our first collegiate tournament of the season and we have started building momentum for what I'm sure is going to be a great season!
As you may know, this weekend was definitely not the best for golf. Yesterday morning we went out at 9 a.m. and played about two holes before getting called back in because of the rain. At the time it was not clear if the rain would pass by and we would be clear to play later on so we waited in the clubhouse while the coaches met.
Rain delays are always a little disorienting because it is uncertain if you will be able to resume play. However, having such little free time in our daily schedules we made use of the rain delay as a study break, which sounds unbelievably nerdy! Nevertheless, we got some homework done while doing some team bonding and about two hours later found out that play would be suspended for the day and rounds one and two would be cancelled.
During the evening we had our annual Wolverine Invitational team dinner. This dinner is very special because we get to bond with the family members and friends of all the girls, and it felt like we were a big family. We had a great time, sang the fight song way too many times to count, and even made the parents sing! We concluded our dinner by talking about the great day that lay ahead of us as it would be both the first and only round of the tournament, and went home hoping that the skies would hold off on the rain so the course could be playable the next day.
Sunday turned out to be a great day! The rain held off for just enough time to finish 18 holes and take home the big trophy! We shot a team total of 293, with a low round of 68 by Ashley (Bauer) and rounds of 75, 77 and 73 by Milena (Savich), Louisa (Shu) and myself, respectively.
Not only did we win the tournament by 11 strokes, but Ashley took the individual trophy, and Milena, Andrea (Ratigan) and I finished in the top 10 individually. We hope that this great start will be followed by a great performance at the Mary Fossum next weekend. Stay posted to hear about our preparations for the tournament at Michigan State and I hope you are enjoying the updates!
Fairways and Greens: Vol. II, No. 1
Players Mentioned
