Irish remain positive with new coach
By JOE LINDSLEY
Sports Writer
In the Notre Dame women's golf team's first tournament of the spring season last year, the Irish finished last.
This year, under new head coach Debby King, the Irish are not expecting such a dismal performance as they head to Texas to participate in the Cingular Islander Invitational. The tournament, hosted by Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, will be held at the par-72, 5,900 yard Kings Crossing golf course.
In 2000-01, during a four month break between the fall and spring seasons, the golfers did not practice much. But this year King has tried to ensure that her team is at the top of their game for their first tournament since last October.
"I think the team is probably the most ready they've ever been for a winter tournament," she said.
Every Tuesday and Thursday morning, the Irish golfers arise early to make the trek out to Loftus where they practice their pitching and refine their swings for two hours as King video tapes them.
Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons, the team practices at heated driving ranges in the South Bend area, and last week, the Warren Golf Course was even opened for them so they could play nine holes.
"[The training during last winter] was very sparse. [The golfers] have told me some horror stories about their first tournament," King said. "They just were not ready. I think they will speak differently this time."
The Irish closed their fall season at Kings Crossing course — the same place where they will begin their spring season.
In October, Notre Dame finished in fourth place, led by freshman Karen Lotta's 54-hole total of 232. Lotta, who tied for third, shot a 74 during the final round, making it her best single round performance in her career.
Much of the same competition from last fall's tournament will be present Monday and Tuesday. With the addition of a few other teams, such as Kansas State, King expects the challenge will increase for the Irish.
Besides Kansas State, King believes Notre Dame's toughest opponent will be defending tournament champion and host team Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
"Even though the field might be a little stronger, we're hoping for at least fourth [place] or better," King said.
Along with Lotta, the Irish will be represented by sophomores Shannon Byrne and Rebecca Rogers, junior Terri Taibl, seniors Kristen McMurtrie and Lauren Fuchs and freshman Casey Rotella.
All Sports Stories for Monday, February 18, 2002
