Santa Clara, Calif. – The Santa Clara women's golf team won't compete until the University of Wyoming Cowgirl Classic in Arizona on April 8, but that doesn't mean the team will be taking it easy. With final exams this week, the student-athletes will not only have to prepare for their classes, they are also expected to put a certain amount of practice time in on their own.
The following week, while their Santa Clara classmates are enjoying spring break, the team will continue with a schedule similar to that during the rest of the season. "We didn't want to pull them out of their routine," said Bronco head coach Krystal Kelly. "We wanted to keep a certain amount of continuity."
On Wednesday of spring break week (March 27) the squad will practice at CordeValle as they begin focusing on the upcoming tournament. "We get an opportunity to play there once a month," said Kelly of the luxurious resort in San Martin. The team will then start its game focus and turn its attention to the Cowgirl Classic, which takes place at the Ocotillo Golf Resort in Chandler, Ariz.
During the month of February the Broncos played a grueling schedule competing in four tournaments in consecutive weeks. "Playing four weeks back-to-back can be challenging," Kelly noted. "The 36-hole days are long days, but Sherman (strength & conditioning coach Trigg) has done a wonderful job with the team."
The downtime now is welcomed, but won't be wasted. Along with final exams, practices and scheduled workouts, the team will also enjoy Easter dinner together.
Senior Balbina Guajardo has been the team leader all season. She has competed in 21 rounds, the most of any player, and has the lowest stroke average on the team at 76.62. She shot a season-best 1-under 71 in the first round of the Juli Inkster Invitational March 4 and has two top-10 finishes in her eight events.
Junior Taylor Camany has played 19 total rounds and has the second-best stroke average at 78.58. Her best finish was a tie for 10th place at the UC Irvine Anteater Invitational when she shot a 10-over 226 and also carded a season-best round of 1-over 73 in the opening round.
"All the players have improved over the course of the season," said Kelly. "It's difficult to pinpoint just one." Updated team and individual season statistics are available here.
The Cowgirl Classic will be the final tuneup for the Broncos before the West Coast Conference Championship on April 15-17 at the Gold Mountain Golf Club in Bremerton, Wash.
UPCOMING
The final tournament before the West Coast Conference Championship takes place on April 8-10 when the Santa Clara women's golf team will compete in the University of Wyoming Cowgirl Classic at the Ocotillo Golf Resort in Chandler, Ariz.
Dates: Monday through Wednesday, April 8-10, 2013
Site: Ocotillo Golf Resort in Chandler, Ariz.
Host: University of Wyoming
Details: All three days will begin with a 6:30 a.m. local time start. Groups will tee off holes one and 10 in nine minute intervals and play 18 holes each day.
Tournament Field (19 teams): Wyoming, Boise State, BYU, Colorado State, Eastern Washington, Montana, Montana State, New Mexico State, Northern Arizona, Northern Colorado, Portland State, Sacramento State, Santa Clara, Seattle, Southern Utah, Utah Valley, UTEP, Weber State and Xavier
Course: Ocotillo Golf Resort in Chandler, Ariz.
Yardage/Par: 6,184 yards/Par 72
Website: OcotilloGolf.com
Phone Number: (480) 917-6660
