The Bruins face a bittersweet challenge at the beginning of this
season. Coach Carrie Forsyth, who recently gave birth to twins, is
out on maternity leave, putting first-year assistant coach Alicia
Um in charge.
Um and the Bruins traveled to Las Vegas this week to compete in
the Las Vegas Founders Collegiate Showdown at Anthem Country Club
in Henderson, Nev.
Last year in this event, the UCLA women’s golf team made
history by setting a school record with a three-round score of
840(-24) to win the tournament.
This season, the UCLA team competing in Las Vegas had a
different look, as several former Bruin golfers have joined the
professional ranks.
UCLA felt the loss of those players, as the Bruins had a harder
time than they did last year.
This year the No. 3 Bruins came in fifth, with a 54-hole total
of 884 (+20). Oklahoma State dominated the tournament, coming in
first with a three-round total of 885(-9), 29 shots ahead of
UCLA.
The Buckeyes were followed by Arizona State, which shot a
865(+1); Pepperdine, with a score of 871 (+7); and USC, which
finished with a score of 875(+11).
UCLA faced another bump on the road as freshman golfer Sydnee
Michaels, the fifth golfer on the team that went to Las Vegas,
could not compete due to severe tendinitis in her wrist. The injury
forced the team to compete with only four golfers, which meant that
every score counted.
With the pressure of performing one player down, the Bruins
tried to step their games up. Although they faced difficulties at
the beginning of the tournament, the Bruins managed to overcome
their obstacles on the last day of the tournament, shooting a
284(-4) on the final day of play.
Sophomore Ryann O’Toole started the tournament on a nice
note with a first-day total of 71(-1). However, it was her
final-day performance that helped the Bruins get up to the top 10.
O’Toole recorded a score of 66(-6), a career best that landed
her in the seventh spot on the individuals roster with a three-day
total of 214 (-4).
All-American Tiffany Joh was another Bruin who placed in the top
10 with a three-round score of 212(-4). Joh managed to control her
game throughout the tournament, with a score of 64(-4) in the final
round. Joh’s outstanding ability to perform well consistently
put her on the fourth spot on the individuals chart. Texas
A&M’s Ashley Knoll came in first, with a three-day total
score of 209(-7).
The Las Vegas Showdown was the last team tournament for the
Bruins in the fall season.