Kats utilize favorable weather entering opener
2/13/2016 1:00:00 PM | Women's Golf
With advantageous weather in the Huntsville area during the winter break, the Sam Houston State women's golf team is hoping the extra practice time outdoors will reflect as the squad opens the spring season at Texas State's All There August Challenge on Sunday.
The two-day, 54-hole tournament takes place at the par-71, 5,885-yard Landa Park Golf Course in New Braunfels as the Bearkats are one of 15 teams competing. Sunday's first two rounds and Monday's final round will both be shotgun starts beginning at 8:30 a.m.
“It is an incredible benefit,” ninth-year women's head coach Tommy Chain said of the weather. “The northern schools are hitting in a building into a net. They don't get feedback on where the shot goes. The target can't tell if you hit the ball good or not. To me, the true measure is the score. We've been able to play many 18 holes and pinpoint the weaknesses.”
The Bearkats are coming off a fall season highlighted by the program's second-straight top finish at the Bob Hurley ORU Shootout. There, junior transfer Heather Shake claimed the individual title at 1-under, 215, playing in just her second tournament.
“I recruited Heather in high school so I knew for a long time what kind of player she is,” Chain said. “There were really no surprises with Heather. Her strength is her competitiveness and hard work. She needed to work on her short game so this past month we focused on that. I have high expectations for her.”
According to Chain, the win in Tulsa has boosted the squad's confidence as the Kats ready for their five regular season tournaments leading up to the Southland Championship (April 11-13) in McKinney.
“Obviously they've realized by winning at Tulsa with an 18-team field, they know they can compete with most teams in the country,” Chain said. “Our mindset is very positive with expectations of winning more than once this semester. The fact we're able to practice and play in the elements raises those expectations. We have huge confidence in all the work we've been able to do.”
In New Braunfels, Sam Houston will be joined by Boise State, Georgia Southern, Houston Baptist, Idaho, Little Rock, Long Beach State, Middle Tennessee, North Texas, Texas State, UL-Monroe, UTEP, UTRGV, UTSA and Youngstown State.
“There are some really good teams,” Chain said. “UTSA is well coached. Middle Tennessee is one of the top teams in the country. They are a quality team. There are a few teams from up north we haven't seen. I am always excited to see how we match up. The girls have had a couple great weeks of practice.”
The squad has spent significant time focusing on its short game, with Chain saying the fall served as an opportunity to find some of the players' weaknesses and help improve those.
“We've very excited about the beginning of the season,” Chain said. “The girls are striking the ball well. I have high expectations for these first couple of events.”
