With just one tournament remaining in the spring season, UW-Whitewater women’s golf team tied for sixth out of 16 teams at the UW-Whitewater Spring Fling in Beloit, Wisconsin on April 21-22.
Head coach Andrea Wieland said there was a definite improvement in play from the team’s last tournament when the Warhawks finished 16th of 22 teams.
“We had a good week of practice,” Wieland said. “We spent almost an entire day of practice just going over some mental toughness skills. I think it helped a lot in their play this weekend.”
Sophomore Rebekah Donner (92-79) had a 13-shot turnaround in round two that helped her claim the top spot for the Warhawks. Donner’s overall score of 171 was good for a tie at the 12th overall spot out of the 89-player field.
Wieland said that the difference for Donner in round two is that she didn’t think too much ahead and played shot by shot.
Freshman Ashley Hofmeister (94-78) also saw a major improvement in round two of the tournament. Hofmeister finished tied for 16th and had a 16-stroke improvement from her round one score. Wieland said it just took one adjustment in Hofmeister’s swing at the practice range heading into round two that made all the difference.
Hofmeister’s second round score of 78 was tied for the second-best mark put up by any golfer in either round of the tournament.
Senior Kayla Asleson (84-92) was tied at the number seven spot heading into round two of play. Asleson added eight strokes in comparison to her first-round score in day two, ultimately earning her a spot at 26th. Asleson said her contact with the ball changed in round two.
“I just wasn’t striking it the same as the previous day,” Asleson said. “It’s amazing how your game can be completely different within a span of just two days.”
Fellow senior Stephanie Stair (92-93) finished 39th for UW-W. Sophomore Kaitlin Bowe matched Stair’s first round score of 92, but had to withdraw from the second round of the tournament.
For the Warhawks’ final tournament of the season, Wieland said the goal is to win the tournament, but she also plans on giving some opportunities for players on her “B” team to play on the varsity level.
Wieland said she talked to some of her “B” team golfers about playing on the varsity team.
“[I said to them] I want you girls to play under pressure more often,” Wieland said. “I want you to feel that every shot has to matter.”
The final upcoming tournament of the season will also be the last for several Warhawk seniors, including Asleson, who said it will be an emotional time for her.
“It’s been an incredible journey being a part of the women’s golf team,” Asleson said. “I’ve made lifelong friends and memories.”
The Warhawks will close out their spring season on April 29-30 when the team heads down to Rock Island, Illinois to play in the Viking Invitation at the Highland Springs Golf Course.