Arizona women’s golf head coach Greg Allen said throughout the season he expected something special to happen to his team, but after the No. 14 Wildcats’ performance in the NCAA Championships, the team will have to wait until next season to reach the height of its potential.
Arizona finished in 14th place after carding a tournament total 74-over-par 1226, a mark that put them 56 strokes behind tournament winner Duke, who has now won the championship three consecutive years, and looking up at four Pacific 10 Conference schools.
“”I am disappointed with the way we finished this year,”” Allen said. “”We felt like we certainly didn’t have our best week. We didn’t play well at all in the second round (Wednesday) or in the final round (Friday).””
The Wildcats shot a tournament-worst second round 26-over-par 314 and ended with a 22-over-310 in the final round. Arizona’s shot its best score in the third round, carding a 10-over 298.
Arizona’s leader, No. 5 Alison Walshe, had an uncharacteristically bad weekend and finished the tournament in 69th place. Walshe shot a total 22-over-par 310 behind a 9-over-par second round.
Allen said Walshe struggled immensely, sinking only five birdies the entire tournament. Walshe finished behind three of her five teammates for the first time this season.
“”Whenever your best player is going to finish 69th it is going to be difficult to compete and have a chance at being at the top,”” Allen said. “”She is one of the top players in the country in terms of making birdies, so for whatever reason she just didn’t have it this week.””
Amanda Wilson led Arizona in the event, finishing 34th overall after carding a 15-over-par 303. Mary Jacobs finished in 40th after shooting a 16-over-304, and Adriana Zwanck completed the tournament 65th after carding a 21-over-par 309.
“”Both days were in really windy conditions,”” Allen said. “”But we have everyone coming back for next year, so we certainly feel like we are in good shape. We learned a lot this week, and we had a pretty good year.
“”We will be ready for next year.””
