W. golf: Bruin golf expects to have continued success this year

The 2002-2003 Bruin athletic season saw UCLA’s golf
program rise from subtle anonymity to a formidable powerhouse. This
year, expectations are rightfully higher for both the men and
women’s teams, who each begin their seasons ranked No. 2 in
the country.  

“I believe that this team has what it takes to be national
champions,” said women’s head coach Carrie Forsyth in a
statement. “Our team is motivated, hard-working and focused
on the goal of being the No. 1 team in the nation.”

The UCLA women’s golf team commenced its season on Sept.
12 when they competed at the NCAA Fall Preview hosted by Auburn at
Auburn National Golf Course. The Bruins finished the
three-round tournament in sixth place at 32-over par. 

Junior Charlotte Mayorkas picked up where she left off this past
season, finishing in a tie for 15th place at three-over par and
posting the Bruins’ lowest finish of the tournament, a
two-under 70 in the second round. 

Sophomore Susie Mathews finished her tournament in style,
shooting a one-under 71 in the final round to place 22nd
overall. 

Highly touted freshman Hannah Jun of San Diego got off to a
rocky start in her first competition as a Bruin, going 10-over par
in the first round. However, Jun shook off the nerves in her next
two rounds, shooting four-over 76 and one-under 71 in the second
and third rounds respectively, to finish tied for 43rd. 

Although golf is acknowledged as a spring sport, there is a
strategic importance to competing in fall tournaments. Both
the women and men’s Fall Preview are at the site of the 2004
NCAA Golf Championships and probably represent the lone chance the
Bruins will have to acclimate themselves to the course before
returning in late May.

Along with familiarization of courses for the future, fall
tournaments offer young players that have yet to achieve success at
the collegiate level the opportunity to compete in NCAA tournament
conditions.

While the men’s golf team has the senior Fab Four of Steve
Conway, Travis Johnson, John Merrick and Roy Moon, the starting
lineup for the women’s golf team is more up in the air and
will likely be determined by fierce competition in practice.

“We have outstanding depth, and it will be a battle every
week to make the lineup,” Forsyth said.