The Arizona women’s golf team expected the first tournament of the year might be a stepping stone to the rest of the spring semester, but after three tough days, it was just another disappointment.

The team finished 12th out of 14 teams at the Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge in Palos Verdes Estates, Calif. yesterday, finishing 83 over par, 43 shots back of tournament winner ASU.

Arizona head coach Greg Allen said the struggles were a combination of bad ball striking and a tough golf course.

“”The first two days we didn’t hit the ball that bad, but today was a combination of poor ball striking and just not knowing these greens,”” Allen said.

The team took the trip without senior leader Cassandra Kirkland.

“”It was a coach’s decision, but hopefully she is ready to go,”” Allen said. “”Hopefully she got a little wake-up call and is ready to play some serious golf now.””

Allen said the Palos Verdes Golf Club has always been a tough place to play, but after this year, the team might reconsider making the same trip next season.

“”The golf course is a great golf course, but it is just the greens that make it ridiculous,”” Allen said. “”I feel like this tournament gets us going in the wrong direction, so we need to re-evaluate the schedule and maybe not come here in the future.””

Allen took four freshmen and a senior. Senior Whitney Welch and freshman Adriana Zwanck tied for 38th place, tops for the Wildcats.

Arizona is set to host the Wildcat Invitational that begins Monday in Tucson at Arizona National Golf Club.

“”We’re excited,”” Allen said. “”We feel like the scoreboard doesn’t paint a good picture of who we are, and hopefully we have a chance to prove that next week.””