Women's Golf Preview
Head coach Shannon Rouillard finally has her program at the verge of a breakthrough that she has been diligently working toward since she became Oregon’s head coach five seasons ago.
She’s got a veteran team led by seniors Johnna Nealy and Jess Carlyon and a core of underclassmen with golf bags full of tournament experience and success.
"We have a very well-rounded team," said Rouilard. "Everyone knows their role. We have so much experience that nothing should be a surprise this year."
That breakthrough almost came last season when an untested Oregon squad found itself in a playoff at the NCAA West Regional for the final spot to the NCAA Championships. It was a playoff the Ducks would lose to Texas, but it was an experience that Rouillard hopes will pay off in an easier route to the NCAA Championships in 2005.
"Last year’s playoff with Texas, where they shot an improbable 2-under on a single hole, left a mark on all of us and proved that we are good enough to be one of the top teams in the country," Rouillard said. "That playoff forced our character to grow. It was a tremendous experience. We’re a much better, stronger, and united team going into this year’s regional tournament. I expect there to be a calm confidence amongst them that week."
Leading with her rock-steady demeanor and play will be Nealy, the Grants Pass, Ore., native who is one of the senior captains on the team. She has lowered her scoring average each season in Eugene and played the fall with a team-best 74.4 mark -- an improvement of more than three strokes over her career average. And its impossible to ignore Nealy’s performance in big tournaments -- she’s got a pair of top-20 finishes at the Pac-10 Championships and a top-25 showing in her only NCAA Regional event.
"Johnna has matured tremendously over her entire college career," said Rouillard. "She has high expectations for herself. When she’s competing, I know that she’s going to come through because she plays her heart out and she plays like she wants it more than anyone else."
Nealy is one of four Ducks expected to play in every tournament this spring and with the playing resumes that juniors Erin Andrews and Michelle Timpani and sophomore Kim McCready already have compiled, there is no reason to think otherwise. Andrews and Timpani both have a tournament trophy on their mantles, while McCready has shown the most improvement in terms of scoring average of all four.
Andrews, the Las Vegas, Nev., native who won last year’s Lady Vandal Fall Invitational, is a sold middle-of-the-line-up golfer for the Ducks who has learned to play to the strengths of her game as she has matured. "Erin is starting to figure out what she needs to do to be successful and be more consistent," said Rouillard.
McCready, from Placerville, Calif., may end up being the best of the lot by the time her career is done -- her fall scoring average (74.6) was a full three strokes lower than her freshman season (77.6). That’s an impressive improvement for one summer’s worth of work.
"Kim has a burning desire to help her team," said Rouillard. "She’s going to do whatever it takes to get this team to accomplish its goals. She has a new outlook and attitude and she’s gained a lot of confidence after going through a full season of competition last year. You don’t expect Kim to hit the ball as far as she does, but she’s sneaky long."
Timpani, from Gig Harbor, Wash., is another Duck with a tournament championship to her credit -- the Santa Clara Colby Invitational, which she won in a six-hole playoff. She has been a consistent third or fourth player for the Ducks throughout her career, but has the ability to elevate her game to a higher level.
"Michelle has proven to be a major contributor to the top five and she is a leader and a tough competitor," said Rouillard. "She’s not going to give up out there and she handles the pressure out on the course better than most."
Therese Wenslow, one of the Ducks’ top golfers the last two seasons, was penciled in as Oregon’s fifth player, but a leg injury has derailed her career temporarily. The junior from Bunkeflostrand, Sweden, will redshirt this year, but should return to full strength with two seasons of eligibility remaining in 2005-06.
"Therese’s injury is very unfortunate for our program," said Rouillard. "However, we expect her to be stronger than ever next year."
So the fifth spot is somewhat up for grabs among Carlyon and freshman Victoria Wenslow, who is the younger sister of Therese.
The younger Wenslow saw action in the fall, struggling at times, but found success here and there, like her first two rounds (75-76) in Hawaii’s tournament.
"There has been a little more of a learning curve for Victoria," Rouillard said. "She had very high expectations of herself coming in and it’s very different playing in the United States than it is in Sweden. She’s starting to come into her own, however. Hawaii was truly a turning point for her and I expect nothing but good things from her in the future."
Carylon, from Daisy Hill, Australia, has a fair share of tournament experience, but needs to score consistently in the 70s to help the team meet its goal of advancing to the NCAA Championships for the first time since 2000.
"Jess’ experience is invaluable on and off the golf course," said Rouillard. "She has a great heart and is always there to lend a hand to me and her teammates."
"This team’s potential continues to get better each year and that’s motivating because what every coach wants is for their program to get better," said Rouillard. "It’s going to be an exciting spring for Johnna, being her final year of eligibility. I know that everybody on this team is determined that we will not only get to the national championship, but will play well once we get there. We have nothing to lose and everything to gain."
