SHSU set to host Southland golf championship
4/16/2010 9:22:00 AM | Women's Golf
Sometimes playing at home can make all the difference.
The Sam Houston State women's golf team is hoping that is the case when the Southland Conference Championships gets underway in a very familiar setting.
Sam Houston State will host the annual Southland women's golf tournament at Raven's Nest Golf Club on April 19-21. With the conference tournament being at Raven's Nest, head golf coach Tommy Chain feels that the playing field will be leveled out against the other teams in the tournament.
"Having the home course advantage is important because we know the conditions of the greens and the fairways and are familiar with the club selections," Chain said. "Myself and coach Choate have made an effort to make this a great conference championship that everyone at Sam Houston can be proud of. The course is in good condition; it should be a challenge for all teams."
Sam Houston will enter the tournament with a talented young squad. Freshman Shelby Hardy has had a successful season so far and plays a major role in the team's chances of winning. Hardy finished fifth in the final individual standings in the Husky Invitational hosted by Houston Baptist. She is a kinesiology major in the pursuit of a future career in physical therapy.
"I am proud of myself, but at the same time disappointed with how I played in the invitational," said Hardy. "I played my heart out and did my best, but I let my nerves get the best of me and I ended up getting fifth place. However, it was a good learning experience to be in that kind of position.
"I am really looking for a conference title for the team and individually in the conference tournament. I really think we have a good chance because we have home field advantage playing on our own course," she said.
With the challenge of playing potentially stronger teams, it will take all the effort the team has to win the championship. Coach Chain is confident that the team will be successful as long as they remained focused.
Chain thinks the championship will be decided in the last nine holes of play on the last day.
"Our winning this tournament will rely a great deal on how we chip and putt around the green," said Chain. "If the girls' can pull together, I believe that we will win. This should be a very exciting tournament."
The winner of the Southland Conference tournament will receive an automatic bid for the Women's Division I Championship.
