The UCLA women’s golf team has a lot to think about coming
off its lackluster performance in the Regional Challenge, hosted by
the Palos Verdes Golf Course, on Wednesday. The Bruins, who were
ranked second in the NCAA going into the tournament, finished sixth
while shooting 62-over par.
Coach Carrie Forsyth was not enthused by the team’s
performance.
“We obviously didn’t play well,” Forsyth said.
“The competitive element just wasn’t there.”
Overall, the tournament for UCLA was characterized by some great
individual performances, but lacked consistency, and fell short as
a team. The Bruins finished 22 shots behind eventual winner Arizona
State, who finished at 40 over par.
Susie Mathews was the only UCLA golfer to finish one of her
rounds under par, shooting a 1-under par 70 in her first round.
Other golfers shot some decent rounds, but did not show very much
consistency.
Freshman Tiffany Joh tied for 16th place at 14-over par,
sophomore Amie Cochran tied for 34th place at 20-over par and
freshman Jane Park tied for 41st at 22-over par.
For a team that won the Pac-10 Championship in 2005 and won the
NCAA title in 2004, the Bruins definitely know that they need to
improve if they expect to build on their recent winning history
this year.
“Our girls must focus on doing what it will take to
win,” Forsyth said. “We will have to improve our
overall game and especially their short game.”
While the Bruins did not have an embarrassingly poor finish to
the event, the perceived talent level on the team makes the sixth
place finish disappointing. There wasn’t any soul searching
or deep contemplation needed, as Forsythe very succinctly
summarized what had happened.
“We didn’t have any good rounds,” she said.
“We had a few individual moments but nothing good as a
team”
While the celebrated UCLA women’s golf team performed
poorly in this tournament, the sky is not yet falling.
The team was tremendously successful in the fall, winning two of
its four tournaments. This latest performance, in fact, was the
first tournament of the season in which the Bruins have come in
below the top five.
Much of the team’s inconsistency has been attributed to
the roster changes and new team leadership roles that have
subsequently taken shape. Players are still searching for some
chemistry.
“The team has a bit of a new dynamic from last
year’s,” Forsyth said.