Oct. 28, 2002

The USF women's golf team is ending the season at the University of Hawaii Invitational. Last year, USF finished tied for 6th with a total score of 921. Two Lady Dons finished in the top 10. Susie Laing was USF best finisher, placing 8th with a three-round score of 225 (72, 76, 77). Mariko Shimozaki was tied for ninth with a three-round score of 226 (78, 75, 73).

Coach Sara Range believes the Lady Dons will be successful at the last tournament of the fall season. "I truly believe we can win this event. We played well the previous years and everyone expect Laura know the Kapolei Golf course. California will be our toughest opponent, but if we can come out strong in the first round, we will definitely have a shot. We have been working on our short game a lot as a team and I believe it will benefit us in Hawaii."

Coach Range also said, "we need to have a good showing to improve our rankings for the fall, and this is where we can do it. I believe in the team 100% and know that they can do it. Our goal is to break 300 every day."

Five players will be competing at the Rainbow Invitational. Coach Range shared with us her feelings on the competing members of the team.

"Susie has an unbelievable shot at winning this event. Last year, she finished 8th after traveling across the world for her sister's wedding while she did not even play the practice round. She is ready to score well and win this event. Her ball striking is amazing right now. She is also very confident with her putter. She should be able to put everything together and come up with some low scores and a win.

Mariko is playing well and figuring out how to stay in the moment. This season, she has been working very hard on getting everything together. She also had a great showing at this event last year, finishing 9th as a freshmen. I know going home for her is good too. It will be great for her to play in front of her family. She is hitting the ball very well and her short game will come through for her.

Jordan has been very consistent the last couple of events. She has worked very hard since the beginning of the season to earn her spot on the starting line- up. She has done great and has only had birdies, pars and bogeys in her last competitive rounds. She also has great memories from Kapolei. She shot 70 the last round of her freshmen year and hopefully will be able to repeat that. Her short game has improved a great deal over the fall and she is swinging very well right now. Her confidence will help her as well.

Lyndsey has earned her spot on the starting line-up again after sitting out the last event. She wants to travel her senior year and is willing to do anything to get there. She is swinging well and needs to trust her golf swing. Her putting is always great and will help her to score low.

Laura has worked very hard throughout the fall and has earned the final spot in the line-up, even with an injury during qualifying. She has been hitting the ball very well and has improved her distance a great deal. She will love playing in the warm weather, which is like home for her. She has a new putter and is learning to love it. This will be great for her to get some experience playing in competition."

The Lady Dons are looking forward to playing this event. "I hope we end the fall season on a good note. We will learn what we need to work on to get ready for the spring season and Regionals," said Coach Range.