The Wisconsin women's golf team wiped the mud from their soft-spiked shoes and exhaled a collective sigh of relief looking toward the optimistic weekend weather forecast at the Lady Northern Invitational. The Penn State courses are expecting considerably less rain than what University Ridge received prior to the start of the Badger Invitational, Wisconsin’s first tournament of the year.
Although the majority of the Invite was a washout, there were glimpses of sunlight, accompanied by the brilliant play of Natasha Lopez-Moreira Barudi. Barudi, a junior transfer student from the University of Richmond, tied for seventh overall to lead the team.
Six more Badgers placed in the top 40, including all-Big Ten senior Katie Elliot, junior Jeana Dahl and freshman Carly Werwie.
"The one thing you take out of [The Badger Invite] is that you see that [the team] will receive contributions from a number of different players throughout the season," head coach Todd Oehrlein said.
The depth of this team will be invaluable as the team approaches the season, and more specifically, the upcoming Lady Northern Invitational.
"No one player has to feel that they have to carry the team," Oehrlein said. "That's going to be an important part, that everybody's comfortable, feels relaxed."
An aura of comfort and relaxation on the fairway will be put to the test as the Badgers approach a very tough course. Embedded with bunkers, laden with tight-to-the-course timber, and owner of two distinct water hazards, the Penn State course offers a formidable challenge to the team.
Challenges are easily overcome with the presence of strong leadership, however, and veteran golfers Elliot and Dahl are up to the task.
"We need leadership from [Elliot and Dahl], and you know they've done a great job in providing that leadership, that direction," Oehrlein said. "They've played consistently throughout their time here."
Although leadership stems from experience, every individual plays an important role — yet another depth factor.
"We all contribute in certain areas," sophomore Kelsey Verbeten said. "We are good at picking each other up when it's necessary and taking care of things as they come."
A strong core of players acts as an additional source of confidence for the team.
"We expect to have a better balance and better consistent contribution out of a number of players," Oehrlein added. "Overall, that depth should translate into more confidence and better production across the board."
Talent and depth will be welcomed with glove-covered hands as the Badgers face off against nearly the entire Big Ten conference as well as a handful of other schools from across the nation.
"You know the field will be strong; you know the field will be deep," Oehrlein said. "Eastern Michigan is very competitive; Penn State is annually one of the top 25 teams in the country."
However, as is the nature of golf, success is measured only by the performances of individuals. The Badgers' only real opponent is themselves, and of course, the surface from the back tee to the green, between clubhouse and finishing hole.
Since little can be done about another team's success, Oehrlein wants the team to be ready and confident in themselves.
"I'm concerned about just being as prepared as we can be to move into this year's Lady Northern," he said.
Fifth place at the Badger Invite is far from a sour taste in the mouths of the women golfers. Being the first tournament of the young season, the Badgers got their feet wet. Oehrlein was only slightly disappointed due to the well-played holes that were, later that day, discredited due to rain.
Although potential good scores were wiped clean, the resulting confidence was not, as it joins the Badgers en route to Penn State.
"I think this year we have all matured as players and are all playing with a little more confidence than last year," Verbeten said. "We are all ready to play and make the best of the fall season."
