Heading into the Pac-10 Tournament in Oro Valley, Ariz., today,
the No. 2-ranked women’s golf team will have to fight to
defend their current crown as two-time conference champions.
UCLA is the conference’s highest-ranked squad, but the
competition within the conference is more formidable than ever this
year.
Seven of the teams were ranked in the top 30 nationally as of
Apr. 17. Arizona State is right behind the Bruins at No. 3, and USC
is at No. 6.
“The Pac-10 Championship is always one of the highlights
of our season,” UCLA coach Carrie Forsyth said. “This
year competition in the Pac-10 is stronger than it has been in a
few years. Both Arizona State and USC have very strong
teams.”
The Bruins have finished in the top three nationally every year
since 2002, and in order to continue that trend they will need to
rely on two freshmen, Jane Park and Tiffany Joh, to resume their
winning ways. Both golfers are ranked in the top 10 nationally.
The teams will play 18 holes per day, with an awards ceremony
and the announcement of the 2006 Pac-10 team on Wednesday at the
end of the tournament.