After struggling to a 17th-place finish at the "Mo"morial tournament in Bryan, Texas, two weekends ago, the Wisconsin women's golf team looks to get back on course this weekend at the Mountain View Classic in Tucson, Ariz.
The "Mo"morial, the Badgers' second tournament of the spring season, was a challenging test for the Wisconsin women, as they had to battle adverse weather conditions in addition to inexperience. Wisconsin is one of the youngest golf teams in the Big Ten, with only two seniors and five first-year players.
While the skill level is there, UW head coach Todd Oehrlein knows that the team's biggest concern is the lack of consistency from the team's top five players.
"The effort, commitment and focus are there each day we come to practice," Oehrlein said. "The sooner we put it all together and get all five players performing at their capabilities at a given tournament, then we'll put up some decent numbers.
"We're driving the ball well and putting ourselves in good position off the tee," Oehrlein added. "We've worked pretty hard on it and it shows. We've been putting a big focus in the last couple weeks in improving the overall consistency of our iron play. We're missing a few too many greens, and that's putting a lot of pressure on our short game. If we see those statistics improve, we'll find ourselves more opportunities to score out there."
Through their two meets this spring, sophomore Katie Elliott and freshman Isabel Alvarez have played the best for the Badgers. Elliott has led the Badgers in scoring in three out of their seven tournaments so far this season. In the Lady Puerto Rico Classic in February, Elliott shot a 2-over 74 to finish in a tie for sixth place at 5-over 221, a career-best finish. Elliott also has set a new personal record for a 54-hole score this season that was four strokes better than her previous best.
"Katie Elliott has played exceptionally well all spring," Oehrlein said. "The scores weren't great for her at A&M because of the conditions, but I expect her to play pretty well this weekend. She has had a great week of practice, has elevated her game and taken it to another step. That's great to see from her."
In Wisconsin's dual-meet against Augusta State, Alvarez led the way for the Badgers by winning her match 3-0. This spring, Alvarez has played in nine tournament rounds, including all six so far in the spring season.
"Isabel Alvarez has done a tremendous job," Oehrlein said. "She's worked very hard last fall and during the offseason to elevate her overall level of play and put her in a position to contribute. When she came in the fall, she wasn't at the point where she was contributing in our top five.
"She's worked her way into that lineup with a lot of hard work, effort and commitment on her part," Oehrlein added.
One of the most important aspects of the women's golf team this spring is the presence of Wisconsin's two senior leaders, Lindsay McMillan and Jackie Obermueller. Although they have struggled thus far in the early part of the season, McMillan and Obermueller have provided leadership and commitment, which, according to Oehrlein, have given the younger players something to look up to.
"Lindsay and Jackie are both dedicated and committed to what we are trying to do with our program," Oehrlein said. "That commitment and dedication remains consistent, and our younger players see that. That is the old case of leading by example.
"Their approach to [this season] has been much more level and consistent and, by doing that, they are going to maximize their own senior season," Oehrlein added. "Their teammates will see that, and they respond and respect that."
This weekend, the Badgers will compete in the Mountain View Classic against another challenging field of competitors. After their disappointment in Texas, the Badgers look forward to the opportunity to get back and redeem themselves through a solid performance on the course.
"We need to go back out and reestablish ourselves," Oehrlein said. "We are disappointed with how we played at Texas A&M and we, as a group, don't feel that tournament was indicative of how we've been progressing and playing up until that point in the spring. We expect to be competitive in the field, limit the mistakes and get contribution from all five players for all three rounds."