Rarely does a No. 1 seed seem so meaningless.
The second-ranked UCLA women’s golf team has dominated
much of the competition, earning the top seed in the NCAA West
Regional, which starts today and runs through Saturday. But any
success the Bruins have earned in the past few months has become
immaterial.
Only teams that place in the top eight of the regional qualify
for the NCAA Championships at the end of the month. Just one bad
round can ruin the Bruins’ hope for the championship, despite
their wins in four tournaments and the Pac-10 title.
It’s win or go home for the Bruins, and regardless of the
success they have enjoyed lately, the girls know that what takes
place on the golf course this week will determine their future.
“If you don’t finish in the top eight (in the
nation) you go home. It’s not something you want to dwell on,
so we have to just go in and try to play the golf course
well,” coach Carrie Forsyth said.
The Bruins, who won the Pac-10 Championships for the third
straight season, are scheduled to lead a field that includes three
other top-10 teams.
But the golf team has its fair share of talent.
Though it is led by two freshmen, it is certain to make some
noise this week and possibly also later in the month.
“We are a good team, and we have played well all season
long. The main thing is that we have to stay calm and poised and
remain confident,” Forsyth said.
The Bruins weren’t always in such a fortunate position,
however.
Junior Hannah Jun suffered severe injuries in an automobile
accident in early December and was sidelined for the entire
season.
The focus suddenly shifted from Jun to the rest of the
relatively inexperienced team.
Jun, who had finished first at the UNLV Rebel Invitational in
the fall, was expected to be the veteran leader this season.
Instead, the freshmen stepped up.
First-year players Tiffany Joh and Jane Park led the way for the
Bruins, who finished the season ranking second in the nation.
Both girls are ranked among the top 10 golfers in the country.
The team will need both of them to be their best to help the Bruins
attain the championship.
“I’m just trying not to think of this individually.
We want to win as a team, and so I guess we are all working toward
that,” Joh said.
“Hannah is back in the lineup and we are coming off of a
solid performance so we just want to keep doing what we’re
doing ““ hit the ball well and not get ahead of
ourselves.”
With Jun’s return, the team hopes to ride its momentum to
Ohio and get a chance to swing for the ultimate prize ““ the
NCAA Championship.