With spring break inching closer, Mexico becomes the famous hot
spot for many students’ vacations.
Coincidentally, UCLA’s women’s golf team traveled
south of the border this week to the Lorena Ochoa Invitational in
Guadalajara, Mexico. Traveling hundreds of miles from home, the
golf team is not assuming the role of students on vacation but
rather that of athletes in competition.
An important tournament is on the line and it is the first time
this season the team will play in a foreign country.
The competition, which was put together by Lorena Ochoa and
Sophia Sheridan, is in its first year.
While the tournament is designed for the best in the nation to
square off, it is also intended to raise money for charity.
Ochoa is a graduate of the University of Arizona and since has
become a professional golfer for the LPGA while Sheridan is still a
student at the University of California, Berkeley. Therefore, it is
fitting that Cal is competing in this invitational and Sheridan is
able to take part in what she has created.
Both have more than just golf in common. Both were born and
raised in Guadalajara, Mexico.
Competition began Monday and will continue through
Wednesday.
The Bruins’ golf team carries quite a bit of momentum
going in after a third place finish in the Wildcat Invitational two
weeks ago. Just like the Wildcat Invitational, this
tournament’s field will be loaded with top caliber teams such
as No. 1 Duke and No. 3 Arizona State.
But Coach Carrie Forsyth feels confident about the team.
“(The team) is always in contention and has started to
play better,” Forsyth said.
UCLA’s team is certainly a talented group led by Tiffany
Joh, who performed extremely well in the Bruins’ most recent
tournament.
Regarding the inconsistency of the team, Forsyth is assured that
it will improve as the season continues.
“Our team has gone through a lot of emotional ups and
downs and our performances have shown that,” Forsyth
said.
However, she is assured that her team is moving towards the
right direction.
“[We] will get on track and put our best effort out
there,” Forsyth said.
The Bruins’ last performance, despite coming in third,
showed that the team finally has grown together and has the
maturity to take important tournaments like the Lorena Ochoa
Invitational seriously.
Despite a rocky start, the team is showcasing its true talent
and looks to give the top-ranked teams a tough time.
For the Bruins, today and Wednesday will provide perspective on
how the team has progressed from the beginning of the season to
potentially being a contender for the NCAA Championship.