Golfers swing into fall season

Twenty-three seasons, seven Big Ten Championships, 12 top-three finishes and eight Big Ten Coach of the Year honors. That is the legacy left behind by legendary women's golf coach Sam Carmichael after his retirement last season. Not only did the Hoosiers lose their long-time coach, but they also graduated four seniors, including Academic All-American Karen Dennison. \nBut replacing a legend doesn't seem to phase new coach Clint Wallman. \n"I don't see it as pressure. There are expectations, but I'm excited about them," Wallman said \nBeing only the second coach of the women's team in 24 years will be a transition not only for Wallman, but also for the players. "It's a big adjustment, but it's an exciting change," junior Lissa Putnam said. \nWallman comes from New Mexico, where he was an assistant coach. As an assistant, he helped lead the Lobos to a No. 3 national ranking, along with a 15th-place finish in last year's NCAA tournament. While Wallman's task of succeeding Carmichael might be tough, it may be even tougher for the team to replace last year's senior class. In addition to Dennison, the Hoosiers also lost last season's Big Ten Champion, Danah Ford. \nWallman expects to fill that void with some of the less-experienced returning players. \n"Both Anne Gorman and Katie Carlson will make contributions," Wallman said. \nSenior Bethany Brunner echoed her coach's opinion. \n"We definitely expect the younger players to step up," Brunner said. \nThe highlights of the '03 campaign included five top-three finishes and a win at the Baylor-Tapatio Spring Shootout. After a second-place finish in the Big Ten Championships, the Hoosiers managed only an 18th-place finish at the NCAA regionals, ending their season. \n"One of our goals this year is to improve in the NCAAs," Brunner said. \nBut an improvement in the NCAA tournament is just one among many goals for the team. \nWhile the players may be setting tournament goals, Wallman has other ideas. \n"We need to focus on ourselves and what we're capable of doing," Wallman said. "We have to focus on doing the best with what we have control of."\n-- Contact staff writer Jacob Brown at jab1@indiana.edu.