Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern Opens 2010-11 Season at Wolverine Invitational
9/10/2010 12:00:00 AM | Women's Golf
Sept. 10, 2010
Wolverine Invitational
Dates: Saturday Sept. 11 - Sunday, Sept. 12
Course: University of Michigan Golf Course • Ann Arbor, Mich.
Length: 6,167 yards (par 71)
Field (17 teams): Northwestern, Augusta State, Ball State, Campbell, Columbia, Eastern Michigan, Florida International, Indiana, Iowa State, Kennesaw State, Longwood, Michigan, Missouri-Kansas City, Southern Methodist, Toledo, Western Michigan, Xavier
Live Scoring: Golfstat.com
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern's women's golf team tees off its 2010-11 season this weekend at the Wolverine Invitational in Ann Arbor, Mich. The Wildcats, who return their entire roster from last year, plus a highly touted freshman, have their sights set not only on a return trip to the NCAA Regionals, but also on a run to the NCAA Championships in May. NUsports.com recently sat down with head coach Emily Fletcher to get her thoughts on the upcoming Wildcat season.
On the upcoming 2010-11 schedule...
"We continue to believe that having our girls play against some of the best competition in the country is the way to make this program continue to improve and grow. This year we're competing in some tournament where we get to see schools that we normally don't get to see, schools out of the Pac-10 and Big XII. But we feel a challenging schedule is what we need to do in order to elevate our program and realize our goal of being a top-20 program in the country."
On the importance of a strong start in the fall...
"We learned two years ago how a slow start in the fall can really dig a big hole towards qualifying for the post season, so it was amazing to see the girls' mindset last year. We still played some tough tournaments, but the attitude in the fall was different. Last year we hit the ground running, and we are doing the same thing this year. The girls have been playing all summer, and our first tournament is two days after they arrive back on campus. We've really driven into our girls the importance of taking advantage of your summer and playing competitively and then arriving back in Evanston ready to play. They understand the expectations of this program and have really responded well to that."
On the mindset of the team heading into the 2010-11 season...
"Our big focus heading into the year is that every event, every hole, every stroke matters. Sometimes when you look at the schedule and see 12 events spaced over nine months, its easy to lose sight of that. But look at our men's team last year. They had a phenomenal season and were playing well at the NCAA regionals, but missed qualifying for the NCAA championships by one stroke. Over that many rounds of golf and that many events, it really does come down to how a player performs every hole of every round. That's been what we've been trying to instill in our girls so that they don't have to look back and feel any sort of regret."
On continuing to play some of the top programs in the country...
"For me, I think the most important thing about playing the top teams and players in the country is what you learn from the experience. You can see where an opposing player might have had a better advantage at some point during the round and then apply that towards your own game. Our girls have started to realize this and not only has it improved their individual games, but their confidence as well. They see that they can compete against the top players in the country, but it is the little things that will prove to be the difference out on the course."
On returning the entire roster in 2010-11...
"It's extremely exciting. In my two years, we've only lost one senior (Jennifer Hong in 2009), so it has been great for me to have basically the same group of girls during my time here and they really have bonded as a team, spending so much time together. We're all on the same page and are progressing together and its an exciting thing to watch as a coach. Expectations for this team are super high for me, but I think this group of girls is eager to reach those expectations."
On hosting three home tournaments this season...
"From the very beginning, this was on the drawing board and it is something that (director of golf) Pat Goss and (assistant coach) Beth Miller have been wanting to do since the day we were hired. This is a great way for us not only to showcase the amazing courses we get to play on, but also for the girls to have the chance to not have to travel and play an event in their own backyard. Plus this is something that the fans and boosters of the program have really gotten on board with and love having the opportunity to volunteer and showcase the courses and the program. We have the opportunity to train and play at some of the best clubs in the country up on the Northshore, and it is exciting to be able to give something tangible back to the members of those clubs to thank them for their support."
On hosting the Big Ten Championships for the first time...
"Our girls are incredibly excited for it. I think right now there is a little bit of the unknown as to what to expect, but as it gets closer I think the girls will start to take ownership and think of this as their event. Our goal for the Big Ten's is the same as every event we host and that is to make it as memorable and as premiere for the participants as possible. We've tried to engage the girls and get their thoughts as to what they enjoy and remember about past championships and incorporate those into this year's. But beyond that, hopefully being able to be at home for the biggest tournament of the regular season will play into our advantage and we will have a great showing in front of our fans and supporters."
On what this year's senior class has meant to the program...
"It's going to be hard to lose this group of girls. Rebecca (Lederhausen), Kelsey (Lindenschmidt) and Innapha (Tantanavivat) are all amazing student-athletes and have been amazing representatives of the university. They have done a great job of serving as leaders and mentors to the younger girls and all of them have played a key role in helping build the program into what it is today. I couldn't think of a better way for them to go out than getting to play their final regular season tournament at the Big Tens here in their own backyard."
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