Oct. 13, 2005
NORMAL,Ill. -
The Illinois State women's golf team heads to Arkansas for their final tournament of the fall season, after coming out of a second place, record breaking, three-round team score of 886 at the Shootout at the Legends.
"What the ladies did last week was phenomenal," said head coach Ray Kralis. "Their backs were up against the wall and they needed to make a statement and they made a big one. With raising the bar higher and higher they realize that they are capable of reaching bigger and bigger goals."
The Tyson/Embassy Suites Invitational hosted by University of Arkansas is set for 8 a.m., Sunday, October 16. The format is different from the average, 36-holes for day one and 18 for day two, because the 54 holes of golf are played over a course of three days consisting of 18 holes per day. The second and third day have a different format in terms of tee off times. The times will be in the order of the placement each team finishes after day one. Attending the event in the past, Kralis is familiar with this tournament and enjoys it.
"It's a fantastic golf course and the 18-18-18 is a great format to practice and prepare," said Kralis. "It is an enjoyable event to be a part of and the hospitality in Arkansas is tremendous. To go in off the last tournament we had, we really have nothing to lose. The team continues to gain confidence and realize that they are one of the elite teams in the region."
Representing the `Birds in this weekends line-up will be MVC golfers of the week Samantha Richdale and Hilary Anderson, freshman Kaitlin Troop, Helen Cushman Endowed Scholar Ashlie Rose, and junior Chelsea Bach. Kralis is confident in his line-up from last week and feels there are benefits to sending veterans.
"We are going into this weekend with the same line-up as last weekend, but four of the five players are very familiar with the golf course," said Kralis. "Sam is taking it to a higher level and the ladies are following her lead. Kaitlin Troop is a freshman on campus, but not on the golf course. Proven performers Rose, Bach and Anderson are confident in their abilities."
Illinois State will be up against some heavy competition including Missouri Valley Conference teams Missouri State and Wichita State as well as Big Ten teams Iowa, Michigan and Wisconsin. Other teams included are Arkansas, Augusta State, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Kentucky, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oral Roberts and So. Mississippi. Heading into the 16-team field of competition, Kralis feels his players are determined.
"This team has the mindset that they want to play against the best," said Kralis. "Anytime you get to mix it up with a top five team in the country, that's something that brings out the best in great players and causes some other teams to crumble. I believe with our mindset and experience some special things are going to happen."
The first 18 holes are set to tee off with a shotgun start at 8 on a.m. on Sunday, October 16 at the par 72 Pinnacle Country Club Golf Course in Rogers, Ark.
