The UCLA women’s golf team will head to Wilmington, N.C. to headline a stacked field and compete in this year’s NCAA Fall Preview, also known as the Landfall Tradition Tournament, at the Pete Dye Course at the Country Club of Landfall.
The Fall Preview will offer the Bruins a true test as it is the strongest field they have competed in all year. Of the 18 teams playing this weekend, 15 are ranked in the top 25 in the nation. UCLA is ranked No. 1 according to Golfweek.com, despite finishing second in its first two tournaments of the season.
This tournament will serve as a rehearsal of sorts for the teams involved, some of whom will return to Wilmington in May to compete for the NCAA Championship. A win this weekend against such tough competition will only solidify the Bruins’ place at the top of the rankings.
But a win is something the team has yet to achieve this year. Even though they are ranked No. 1 overall, the best that the Bruins have placed so far this season are two second-place finishes, most recently last weekend at Stanford.
Coach Carrie Forsyth credits the team’s consistent play for its ranking. “We have been the most consistent contender thus far,” she said.
Sophomore Brianna Do, individually tied for 16th in the nation, has proven to be crucial to the team’s success. Through five rounds, Do’s stroke average stands at 71.3, which is seven strokes lower than her average last year. She also has yet to shoot over 72 in a round.
“She is working hard on her game, and the results are obvious,” Forsyth said.
The team will look to senior Sydnee Michaels for yet another solid performance this weekend. In five rounds, Michaels, who ranks third in the nation, has had two Top 5 finishes, and three of those rounds were under par.
Sophomore Stephanie Kono, freshman Tiffany Lua and junior Glory Yang complete the UCLA lineup.
Despite all five of its players ranking in the top 50 in the country and a recently awarded No. 1 team ranking, the Bruins are competing against a tough field. But Forsyth likes her team’s chances.
“As with every event, I know we can win,” Forsyth said. “We have a great team and are playing well. We just need to continue doing what we have been doing, and if we make a few more birdies we may win.”