UCI embarks on new ground

The UC Irvine women’s golf team will be making its first trip to the

NCAA championships in the program’s four-year history when play

begins Tuesday at the Sunriver Resort in Sunriver, Ore.

UCI, which finished in a tie for sixth at the NCAA West regional

to qualify for the finals, is currently ranked 26th in the nation by

Golfstat.com. The Anteaters join Ohio State, Duke, Furman,

Pepperdine, Virginia, Tulane, Florida, Washington, Auburn, Texas A &

M, Missouri, Arizona State, Tulsa, Purdue, Michigan State, Arkansas,

UCLA, Tennessee, California, USC, Oklahoma State, Brigham Young and

Stanford in the tournament field.

Competition ends Friday.

The ‘Eaters won three tournaments in 2005, the most in program

history. UCI claimed its second Big West Conference title in March,

along with the Nittany Lion Invitational in October and the Anteater

Invitational.

Freshman Selanee Henderson became the third player in UCI history

to earn medalist honors at a tournament with her victory at the

Nittany Lion Invitational. Stella Lee and Walailak Satarak also won

tournaments when they were freshmen in 2002.

Four of the Anteaters’ starting five are newcomers, including

three freshman, including Jane Chin and Kim Lorenzana.

Junior Angela Won, ranked 95th individually by Golfweek, leads the

team with a 74.93 scoring average and is second in low round (69) to

Chin (67) this season. Won, the only retuner who also leads the

‘Eaters in top 10 finishes with five, placed second in the Anteater

Invitational.

Junior Carling Cho, a transfer from San Jose State, finished 20th

to pace UCI at the West regional.

UCI Coach Kelly Crawford, who started the program four years ago,

said chemistry has been a major key to the team’s success.

“They all like each other and enjoy playing with each other,”

Crawford said. “It’s hard to say who is the impact player. They’ve

all contributed in many different ways. They all feed off each

other.”

Crawford is trying to steer her players from any pressure

associated with the NCAA championships.

“I want them to go out there and have a good time,” Crawford said.

“It’s Angela’s 21st birthday this week and while making it was a goal

of ours, wherever we finish is great.”