Coach Oehrlein Addresses Media
September 04, 2007 | Women's Golf
Todd Oehrlein, the University of Wisconsin's head women's golf coach, addressed the media during Monday's weekly press conference.
UW opens their season on Sunday by hosting the Badger Invitational at University Ridge Golf Course in Verona, Wis. Four of last year's top golfers return to this year 's squad.
The transcription of Oehrlein's remarks can be found below. To view the entire press conference, id=1079"> --> click here .
Opening Statement:
It's an exciting time for us. We're looking forward to getting started with practice tomorrow. The players all had great summers and played competitively. I 'm proud of what they've done and what they've accomplished and I feel that they're definitely prepared and ready to come into season and compete.
On the team:
This will be our deepest team that we've ever had, and I think that's an important point for us as we try to continue to improve and continue to make strides and make a push in the conference. It's when you combine the fact that we have everybody up from last year's team but one returning, and you add three new players that are all very talented and look to compete, I think that makes for a tremendous amount of competition in practice. I think they'll push each other. I also think they'll support each other, and it's a great group from a chemistry and a leadership standpoint as well.
On the Badger Invitational:
We're excited about moving forward, and we're looking forward to getting it started at home this week. So as we move into the week and into our preparation for the Badger Invitational, I really think we'll be led primarily by four returning players that competed in all of our events from last year.
Katie Elliot, Jeana Dahl, Isabel Alvarez, and Kelsey Verbeten, all four have a tremendous amount of experience. I think they'll provide leadership and direction. They 'll be pushed, however, throughout the season and leading into it. They 'll be challenged and pushed, and that's good for them; they're prepared for it. They're ready for that. They knew that coming into the season.
On Katie Elliot:
Katie is our top returning player. I think, as I'm sure a number of you have followed and are aware of what she was able to accomplish last year and really, the three seasons leading into it. She's had a great career here for us at the University of Wisconsin, and we look forward to a great senior season for her. I know she's excited and worked hard to prepare herself, and is coming off an all-Conference season last year, and is looking forward to moving forward and getting started this year.
On opening the season with a home tournament:
We feel very fortunate to be able to start the season at home with the Badger Invitational, as we're able to see a lot of players play. I think we'll play 10 players, so our regular team lineup of five, and then we'll play five individuals, which is one of the advantages to hosting your own tournament, as we get a chance to see everyone compete immediately and see how they respond to competition and to get right into the season.
On the team's depth:
The field is excellent; it's deep. It's going to be a strong group and I would expect scoring to be pretty low. Scores every season seem like they drop in Women 's Golf, and they just continue to improve and just the overall talent level across Women's Collegiate Golf just continues to get deeper, and improve, and get better, and I would expect this season to be nothing different.
I would expect scoring to be fairly low at the golf tournament. The golf course is in great shape despite all the conditions and the challenges that we've had in the last few weeks, but it'll be a great test for us, and we're looking forward to getting started.
On any extra importance of opening the season at home:
I don't know if (opening the season at home) puts any added importance to the (Badger Invite), but it adds a different dimension. The team isn't used to playing at home, and the distractions from family and friends, even something as minor as being in the dorms in the evening on Saturday night and how that affects rest and things like that heading into Sunday morning. Whereas, if we're on the road, you know, that 's regulated, and that's controlled, and they're in their rooms at a certain time.
There certainly are challenges and different things that need to be juggled and handled appropriately. On the flip side though, they're familiar with the golf course; they're comfortable. There's obviously that excitement to be playing at your home course, and it's a great opportunity for us, and it's one you can't really let pass by. When you top teams that are going to be under consideration for regional bids, to come to your golf course, you have to take advantages of those opportunities. And so that starts this weekend.
On not having much practice time before the season opener:
We're kind of at the mercy of the academic calendar. With our championship segment being in the spring, we can't start until the first day of class. When the academic calendar starts before Labor Day, that works out a lot better for us. We can have an extra day or two, but more importantly, we have Labor Day weekend where you can be out on the course and play.
In the last two seasons, classes have started the Tuesday after Labor Day, and so it 's a quick turnaround. The team is prepared and ready to play. Really this week boils down to qualifying rounds and making sure that lineup is selected, and that we give all the players opportunity to earn positions.
On Katie Elliot's summer and continuing that success into the fall season:
Katie had a great summer; she really took a step tournament wise and golf course-wise. The opportunity when she competed at the LPGA event, and made that cut, the U.S. Open qualifying, and moving through in those stages was great for her. When you get on the types of golf courses that are 6,500 to 6,600 golf courses against the top players in the country, it's different than playing golf courses that are very long and demanding at the college level.
That experience will really provide Katie a tremendous advantage moving into the season. So she's ready. She's done a great job for us in her time here. We 're very fortunate that she decided to stay home, and she's loved her experience. She's improved tremendously as a player, and I know she's looking forward to her senior season.
