Golfers welcome warm weather
By: Chris Daly
Issue date: 4/18/08 Section: Sports
Having played the majority of their spring tournaments in poor weather conditions, the No. 9 women's golf team is looking forward to competing in nice weather at the Illinois Wesleyan Invitational this weekend.
After the Tigers finished second place in the rain-soaked St. Francis Cougar Invitational last week, senior Ali Murtaugh said the improved weather should result in lower team scores.
"This will be the first weekend where our mindset will be to go low," she said. "The mindset of [making] pars and birdies instead of bogies being OK."
The team will face stiff Div. III competition, which means a potential at-large bid to nationals could be at stake.
"It's definitely one of the most important tournaments of the spring," Murtaugh said, adding the tournament should be good preparation for next week's Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Championship. "I think it's going to put us in the mindset we need to be in for next weekend."
With no chance of earning an at-large bid to the national tournament, the men's squad must win next week's SCAC Tournament in order to gain entry to the championship. While home-course advantage should be a big advantage for the Tigers, the team is currently focusing on this weekend's Rose-Hulman invitational to prepare for the challenge ahead.
"This weekend, we're just trying to play well and get some momentum going into conference," said junior Joey Piatek.
Despite strong performances from Piatek and fellow-junior Danny Stetson, the men struggled last weekend in a sixth place finish at the Lamkin Strimer Invitational. Piatek said a victory at Rose-Hulman would be a huge confidence builder.
"It's definitely a tournament I think we can win," he said.
Much like Twin Bridges Golf Course, where DePauw will host the SCAC Championships in a week, Hulman Links Golf Course - the venue for the Rose-Hulman Invitational - is a narrow course. Piatek said playing tight holes should be great preparation for the Tigers.
"I think the key will be managing our games well and picking good targets," Piatek said.
Despite some struggles this spring, the Tigers know having a successful season is all about playing well when it matters.
"Hopefully, we can get everyone firing at the same time," Piatek said. "It will be good to finally have some good weather this weekend."
After the Tigers finished second place in the rain-soaked St. Francis Cougar Invitational last week, senior Ali Murtaugh said the improved weather should result in lower team scores.
"This will be the first weekend where our mindset will be to go low," she said. "The mindset of [making] pars and birdies instead of bogies being OK."
The team will face stiff Div. III competition, which means a potential at-large bid to nationals could be at stake.
"It's definitely one of the most important tournaments of the spring," Murtaugh said, adding the tournament should be good preparation for next week's Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Championship. "I think it's going to put us in the mindset we need to be in for next weekend."
With no chance of earning an at-large bid to the national tournament, the men's squad must win next week's SCAC Tournament in order to gain entry to the championship. While home-course advantage should be a big advantage for the Tigers, the team is currently focusing on this weekend's Rose-Hulman invitational to prepare for the challenge ahead.
"This weekend, we're just trying to play well and get some momentum going into conference," said junior Joey Piatek.
Despite strong performances from Piatek and fellow-junior Danny Stetson, the men struggled last weekend in a sixth place finish at the Lamkin Strimer Invitational. Piatek said a victory at Rose-Hulman would be a huge confidence builder.
"It's definitely a tournament I think we can win," he said.
Much like Twin Bridges Golf Course, where DePauw will host the SCAC Championships in a week, Hulman Links Golf Course - the venue for the Rose-Hulman Invitational - is a narrow course. Piatek said playing tight holes should be great preparation for the Tigers.
"I think the key will be managing our games well and picking good targets," Piatek said.
Despite some struggles this spring, the Tigers know having a successful season is all about playing well when it matters.
"Hopefully, we can get everyone firing at the same time," Piatek said. "It will be good to finally have some good weather this weekend."
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