The Gators are coming home.
Playing in the SunTrust Gator (Women’s) Invitational at Mark Bostick Golf Course for the 41st-straight year, Florida’s women’s golf team begins its only home match of the season today.
“We’re excited to be playing at home this weekend,” coach Emily Bastel said in a release. “This only happens once a year for us, so we’re anxious to have all the teams in, showcase our golf course and give our hometown fans something to cheer about.”
Florida began the spring season strong with a win in the Florida Challenge but ended February with a disappointing tenth-place finish in the Allstate Sugar Bowl.
UF has won the past two Gator Invitationals but will face stiff competition this season.
The tournament has just 15 teams that are competing, but seven of the teams are ranked in the top-25 of the WGCA/Coaches’ Poll, including second-ranked reigning national champion Alabama, No. 4 North Carolina and No. 6 Oklahoma.
“Alabama is a pretty good team because they won nationals last years,” sophomore Camilla Hedberg said.
“Oklahoma is good, too. There are several good teams in the field, so even though we’re playing on our home course, we still have to play good golf.”
Hedberg is considered Florida’s top player and has a chance to improve on her successful season. The sophomore has already won three individual tournaments in the 2012- 2013 season and has yet to finish worse than tied for 19th.
The Gator Invitational will be the last home tournament for both Isabelle Lendl and fellow senior Mia Piccio.
Freshman Ursa Orehek is a new face in the starting lineup. who has recently been dealing with an injury. The other Florida starter for the weekend will be junior-transfer Elcin Ulu who has participated in every tournament this spring.
The Gator Invitational marks the second-to-last tournament for the Gators before the Southeastern Championship begins on April 19th.
“We don’t get an opportunity to play at home very much, so it’s nice for the people in Gainesville to be able to come out and watch,” Bastel said.
“They follow the girls all year and they are a tremendous support system for us. We’re excited about that and this is always a nice time of year for us. We get in our comfort zone at home and the girls will know what to expect.”
Senior Isabelle Lendl chips a shot onto the green. Lendl finished tied for 32nd at the Bryan National Collegiate this weekend.
